rear brakes

OK im new to workin on cars and I'm helpin my sis work on her car and obviously she know NOTHING but were replacing her rear brake drums. is there anything we need besides the rear drums? and while we're at it is there any simple things we can do to improve the car because she is about to leave for college and i gotta look out for my big sis, I don't want her to break down anywhere.

Just make sure you have the proper pads to go in there. There is also a tool out there that may help in getting the springs off. Can't recall the name of it though. I have yet to tackle that job myself. I should do it soon though. As far as the road trip, the following would be usefull.

- Check oil
- Check Coolant levels.
- Check Drive/Timing belts for wear and tear (cracking, thinning etc)
- Check front pads and rotors for abnormal wear and warping.
- Check brake lines for abnormal wear and leaks.
- Check All lights to make sure they are functioning
- Check A/C system.
- Check charging system (Auto Zone will check this free)
- Inspect and clean battery terminals.
- Check tire tread (both sides AND middle) Check for proper inflation.
- Check windshield washer fluid levels and blades.


All these things can make up for a crappy trip if not looked at. Everything on this list is easy to see without using too much effort. The only thing that can be lengthy is a timing belt replacement. If you have a timing chain, I would not worry too much about it.

^^^^^^good list

Just make sure you do everything correctly (easier said than done i know) go out and buy a repair manual, cost you about $15 and its worth every penny

OMG! Don't buy a Hanes manual. I have one of those and it sucks! It tells you to look for different things, then refers you to a shop for repairs for most items. If it does attempt to teach you how to do it yourself, it's vague at best. By vague, I mean vague to someone who has not ever worked on that part of the car before. I have broken many thing on my car trying to figure out what hanes is talking about...

And one more thing... If you find yourself changing out the coolant don't pour it in the grass, street, gutters or drains. Most auto parts places won't take them (atleast not around here). I had to call the city and they would only take the extrea fluid on wednesdays.

Get the Haynes, I used it to help me with THE BASICS (that's what it is for) while doing my Engine swap. things like Torque specs and an idea of how to tear whatever it is down is all it is for, so you don't go in COMPLETELY BLIND. you could spend the big $$$ and get a Chiltons, but they are owned by Haynes and are expensive at my last looking for them. or spend a months pay and get a GM shop manual. but why for a simple thing like an oil change or a stereo install?

Put it this way, if you have never torn down a motor and rebuilt it and want to, don't get a Haynes, it can help you if you are experienced, but it will confuse someone who only works on a car if they are forced to. it does skip some steps and is mostly for the cavalier (it's the car on the cover of mine a white 4 door IIRC LOL) but it will give the basic idea you need to get the job done.

Agree ^^^^^^^^^^