I always whine about how much I hate drum brakes. I got roped into doing them for the first time in 35 years this weekend. I didn't really have time to troubleshoot the car I just went off the symptoms of hard to break and squealing and such. front discs were fine. checked first.

Groans from both drums when I stepped on the brake to pull the car into the garage.

tried looking through the inspection port but could not make much sense of what I saw since I never look at drum brakes.

bought new shoes and drums. both sets of shoes that were on the car had plenty of meat but we're extremely smooth. is this normal for a brake shoe? I don't know that I could call it glazed as I don't really have anything to compare it to but when I first took it out I mistook this for a metal-on-metal situation.

the new shoes have total graininess but of course they are brand new

what should I expect to see if the old shoes are wearing properly and if they are wearing improperly?

thanks guys and gals

 

I have to ask what kind of car? I need to know if they float on a top pin only or have a solid anchor at the bottom. The noise would seem to be drum brakes out of adjustment. What kind of adjusters and where on the shoes? The return springs will make noise if they stretch when he brakes are applied. Smooth shoes are ok be careful of splinters from worn edges.

 

2001 Corolla.

Rudimentary description.

Bottom of shoes connected to each other w spring.

Shoes kept secured to backing plate mid height with pin from back through backing plate thru slotted caps on spring, compress and rotate outer 90 deg rel to flat on pin to lock.

Adjuster across the top, both ends sit in matching slots in the shoes. Spring around adjuster, super streched and hooked into holes in shoes.

 

Maybe adjusted by cycling the parking brake lever. Rear brakes on this type of car are only there for the parking brake really. If the car has a low pedal adjust the rear brakes. If the booster feels good but the car won’t stop as it should put better pads on the front.

 

thank you sir

 

Here's a good video about adjusting them one you get it all back together, derf. I hope it helps.