Brakes

[ricco1980]

I recently replaced my front brake pads, and came to do the back ones but found it impossible to remove the big outer casing or drum what ever it is..its as if something is clamping them from the inside...i tried a hammer, crow bar everything..I did release the handbreak etc...is it a peice of piss or shall i just take it to a mechanic?
Cheerz

[stuartgallafant]

im assuming you have rear discs???

in this instance, the hand brake is like a drum brake inside the disc. the shoes are pushed against the 'drum' when the hand brake is applied.

when removing the discs, you need to take out the pre-tension of the shoes. to do this:
-remove the h/brake lever gaitor and undo the two 10mm nuts
-put car up and remove the rear wheels
-get a torch and look through the wheel bolt holes to see inside the drum. you're looking for a circular knurled nut around a thread. you need to wind this in so the shoes are nowhere near the drums
-undo the 6mm alan bolt from the disc
-now take a hammer and whack the drum/hub part of the disc a couple of times to 'shock' it loose, but make sure you dont hit the wheel spigot or the actual disc
-you should now be able to remove the disc
-when you come to put new discs on, just wind the shoes right out so they are pushed right against the disc, and then undo them 6-7 turns (do you understand?)
- now pull up the handbrake 3 clicks and tighten the 10mm nuts so that the shoes only just touch the drum, enough to slightly retard the wheel from moving

and roberts your fathers brother, that should be done

any problems, just give us a shout[/img]

[ricco1980]

Hey man appreciate that detailed response, i wasn't expecting anyone to give a monkeys but u proved me wrong. Thanks alot, will give that a crack in the week sometime.

[stuartgallafant]

no problem buddy, thats what we're all here for...

stay cool