rear brakes

i need some pointers on how to go about changing the rear brakes on a camary but really I need to know how to get the drum off.

You don't say what year you have but there is a 94 (generation 3) manual at the top of this forum you can download. All of the Camry rear drum brakes I have looked at are the same, so this should work well for you as a guide. As far as getting the rear drums off, first make sure the emergency brake is off. Tthen jack up the rear of the car and remove the rear wheels. The drums should just pull right off but they usually don't since they are usually a bit rusted to the hub. There should be 2 threaded holes near the center of the drum. Just screw 2 corresponding screws into these 2 holes and tighten them evenly and the drum should pop free and then off.

Mike

Before you force off the drums, back off the star wheel adjuster (allow the springs to pull the shoes in toward the center) so that the shoes can get by the ridge worn in the drum by the shoes.

Follow the above posted information and do one side at a time. You can use the side your not working on as guide to reassemble. You may have to adjust your emergency brake cable after completing the replacement.

I know this is an old thread but I'd like to know what bolt size and thread pitch to use to break my rusted on drums. Because of the shape of the backing plate I cannot grab hold of the drum edges. And I don't want to hammer on the hub for fear of damaging the bearings. If I find out on my own, I'll repost.

8mm x 1.25 pitch.

M8 X 1.25 thread pitch is correct. I suggest getting bolts or screws about 1-1/2 inches long so they can be used for both the drums and rotors. Personally, I perfer to get socket cap screws, since they are made of an alloy steel and it will be difficult to have the bolt threads strip on stubborn drums/rotors. It will however require an allen wrench to turn them. I keep the right size allen wrench built in to a 3/8 drive socket on hand just for this application.

Mike

Thanks for the info. I think I'll stick with the regular hex head though for the first shot at cracking them open. I'd rather have the bolt strip and still have good drum threads than good bolts but a nonremovable drum. In ten years of owning the car, I've never gotten in there. No bad sounds, and e-brake works, but now I have the knowledge to tackle it a little better. I'll repost if I find anything interesting. Thanks again!

[post-op comments]

Drums came off easy...I love this place! The shoes were worn but still usable...mostly because they were almost useless due to not being properly adjusted. I replaced the shoes and hardware anyways, good for another 10 yrs now. Thanks for the info!

Hi, I'm new to this forum and it seems that this thread may be a good place to ask. I have 97 camry 2.2L and last year I've changed front disk brake pads and rotors. Now I'll be doing a rear drum brakes and wondering if anyone can give me suggestions and recommendation for any "special" tools that I should get to make my life easier for a brake job. I know there are many tools for this but I'm looking for people who already used specific tools that you recommend.
Thanks.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00999096000P?keyword=brake
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00996474000P?keyword=brake

One man brake bleeder? I never thought of this one.
Thanks for your help.