Repair And Fix it

home» adjust » brakes » drum » how » rear » saturn » to » How to Adjust Saturn Rear Drum Brakes

---

How to Adjust Saturn Rear Drum Brakes

You can adjust the rear drum brakes on your Saturn right from your home garage, saving yourself time and money. You should adjust the rear brakes periodically to keep them in the best working condition. As you use your brakes, they wear down a bit causing a space between the shoes and the drum. To close up this space, you need to do an adjustment with a few basic tools you can purchase from your local auto parts retailer.

Instructions

1

Disengage the parking brake. Place a wheel chock behind each of the Saturns front wheels to keep the vehicle from accidentally moving while you work.

2

Lift up the rear of the car with a floor jack, high enough to slide the jack stands underneath the car next to each control arm by the wheels. Slide the jack stands into place and lower the car onto them.

3

Put on a respirator mask, which you can purchase from any hardware store, to protect yourself from brake pad dust. Remove the lug nuts with a lug wrench. Take off the wheel and set it aside with the lug nuts.

4

Twist off the drums clockwise. If they are stuck, strike them with a hammer gently and twist again.

5

Locate the star-shaped self-adjuster under the wheel cylinder. Spread the shoes open a bit by turning the self-adjuster. Slip the drums back onto the shoes. They should slide on easily if you did the adjustment correctly.

6

Put the wheels back on the Saturn and tighten the lug nuts. Lift up the car with the jack and slide the jack stands out. Lower the car to the ground. Lift up on the parking brake, which should only move up six notches maximum.

7

Tighten the lug nuts all the way with the lug wrench and remove the wheel chocks.