Any tricks

[kalebf93]

So I'm having to replace the rear shoes on my 85 gmc high Sierra 2500 with a semi floating rear end I've been fighting with them for well over 2 hours or so and just can't get them to go back on they are the 13 inch drums was wondering if any one had any tips on how to get them back together

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[Charlie]

 

[Dmack]

What exactly are you having trouble with? Shoes,springs, drums, ?

 

[kalebf93]

Managing to get the shoes in place and get all the springs attached to hold them in place

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[Dmack]

Not being there, it's tough to say. I always do one side at a time so I can use the other side as a reference. Springs are a bugger. Vise grip and arm power are my go to. I haven't started on mine yet as I'm in the middle of bodywork, but did a corrola yesterday.

No idea your experience, so excuse me if this is basic to you. Hook the e brake lever up, after making sure you have the correct shoes in the correct position, set the shoes against the backing plate and fasten them.with the retaining pins and springs. Spin the adjuster all the way in and install with the spring. Install upper spreader and spring, as well as other vehicle specific parts. You generally have to work the shoes around a bit until they seat into the bottom adjuster and upper wheel cylinder pins,as they tend to hang up again at the backing plate.

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

The better your tools are, the easier it will be. You can do it with rinky dink tools, but it’s a pain. They make brake spring pliers that might help. ChrisFix uses them in his brake videos, I think, if you want to check those out on YouTube.

 

[Rusty Nail]

Grab the springs with s pair of *****- don't try to be nice!

 

[Blue Ox]

Get the right tool. It makes the job super easy. Don't try to do it with pliers or vise-grips if you value your eyesight.

Something like this is what you're looking for:

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BK_7769206

One end unhooks springs, the other one is used to lever them on.

Even with the right tool, wear safety glasses.

 

[kalebf93]

Thanks everyone, and I have quite a bit of experience doing drum brakes I had a 93 Dodge Dakota that it seemed every 3 weeks or so I had to replace the shoes on it and I could fly through those little 9 inch shoes take me 45 mins and have both sides done, could just be the size difference is making it harder for me cause it's alot more than what I'm used to

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[Frankenchevy]

Not trying to be a smart Alec, but if you had to do brakes every 3 weeks maybe you have been doing something wrong all along.

Unless you were driving 10,000 miles a week.

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

Not trying to be a smart Alec, but if you had to do brakes every 3 weeks maybe you have been doing something wrong all along.

Unless you were driving 10,000 miles a week.

3 weeks is a stretch, but I know that towing a weight way over capacity burnt the shoes up pretty quick in my dad’s old truck. Not every 10K, but it’s had the brake work at 250K that a truck at around 600K should have gotten done at this point. Maybe that’s just a Ford thing, though. Booooo....

 

[Snoots]

Try this . . .

 

[Rusty Nail]

Booooo

 

[Snoots]

WTF you mean, Booooo?

I'll add this disclaimer, my previous post of the directions was NOT created by me. I only pass it along.
Perhaps you think I am ruining man's quest for knowledge?

 

[Rusty Nail]

Loololololll

Nah dude, you were just in the middle.
When 87 booooos, I boo ...too?

Bootoo?
Hrmph!
see whatcha did?