How to Replace Rear Brake Shoes on a 1997 Chevy Pickup Truck

The 1997 Chevrolet pickup truck uses a drum-style braking system in the rear of the vehicle. Brake shoes slow the vehicle down by applying pressure onto the drum when the brake pedal is pressed. Brake shoes do not have to be replaced as often as brake shoes, but it's very important to do so once the brake shoes are less than 1/8 of an inch thick. You can replace brakes shoes yourself; materials and tools needed for the procedure can be purchased at a local auto parts store.

• 1

  Place blocks in front of the front wheels to prevent the vehicle from rolling. Loosen the lug nuts on the rear wheels using a lug wrench. Raise the rear of the vehicle using a floor jack. Place jack stands beneath the vehicle for support.

• 2

  Remove the lug nuts and the rear wheels. Remove the brake drum from the wheel studs. A hammer may be needed to loosen the drum by hitting the edges. Clean the assembly and the brake parts using brake parts cleaner and a rag.

• 3

  Remove the return springs located on each brake shoe using a spring removal tool.

• 4

  Remove the actuator link from the lever's top end by pulling the actuator lever's bottom end to compress its return spring. Using a flathead screwdriver, pry the lever spring from the assembly.

• 5

  Slide the flat parking brake strut out of the top of the assembly, between the front shoe and the axle flange.

• 6

  Remove the hold-down spring from each brake shoe using needle-nose pliers. Pull out the actuator lever and its pivot, making sure the pivot does not fall out of the lever.

• 7

  Slide the brake shoes around the axle and out of the assembly by spreading the two shoes apart. Remove the spring that connects the two shoes and the adjuster screw assembly located on the bottom.

• 8

  Remove the parking brake lever from the rear shoe by using a screwdriver to pry off the E-clip that hooks to the shoe. Slide the brake shoe pin out of the lever.

• 9

  Clean the adjuster screw using brake parts cleaner. Lubricate both ends of the adjuster screw and the shoe's six contact points of the brake backing plate using a high-temperature grease.

• 10

  Install the lower spring and the adjuster screw onto the bottom of the new brake shoes, securing the two shoes together. Reconnect the parking brake lever to the rear brake shoe using the pin and new E-clip.

• 11

  Slide the shoe assembly onto the backing plate by spreading the assembly.

• 12

  Install the hold-down spring and pin through the backing plate and the front shoe. Insert the actuator lever onto the lever pin and place the lever over the rear shoe hold-down pin then connect the hold-down spring.

• 13

  Place the parking brake strut into the assembly, behind the central axle flange. Connect the end of the parking brake strut with the slot on the parking brake lever. Spread the brake shoes to seat the strut's other end with the front brake shoe.

• 14

  Install the shoe guide over the anchor pin located at the top of the assembly and hook the lower end of the actuator link to the actuator lever. Loop the top end of the actuator link to the anchor pin.

• 15

  Reconnect the lever return spring to the tab on the actuator lever. Push the spring onto the rear brake shoe. Using pliers, install the return springs onto both brake shoes.

• 16

  Place the brake drum onto the wheel hub. Pump the brake pedal several times. Insert a screwdriver into the hole located on the backing plate and turn the adjuster star wheel. Continuing turning the star wheel until the drum drags against the shoes, then back it off until it no longer drags.

• 17

  Repeat the steps on the opposite wheel. Place the wheels onto the vehicle. Loosely place the lug nuts onto the wheel studs.

• 18

  Raise the vehicle using the floor jack and remove the jack stands from beneath the vehicle. Lower the vehicle to the ground. Tighten the lug nuts onto the wheel studs using a lug wrench.