how to check drum brakes?

[vette_7t9]

Ok I have a question.

If drum brake shoes dont have squeal sensors, how should i kno when theyre worn out or not? Can anyone please help with this question?(for class)

[fishtoday925]

Take the drum off and check the thickness on the shoes. Sometimes the drum might be stuck on there because of a rust ring on the edge of the drum caused by the shoes not contacting that area of the drum. If you have a plug in the back of the backing plate then loosen the star wheel, but if not then get a couple of screwdrivers of a BFH and go to work but try not tho damage the drum. Then once you get it off compare the thickness of the braking material on the shoe to the thickness of the plate that the material is rivited to. (kinda lost of words but you get the picture) if you have more brake material left than the backing thickness then your good but if the backing is thicker than the material then you need some work done. Hope that helped but i 18 and still going through school so there is probably some other ways that might be easyer but thats how i have been doing it so far.

[vette_7t9]

nice, but how bout without taking off the drum? is it posible to detect?

[fishtoday925]

thats really the only way it doesnt take to long maybe 5 min if it isnt stuck on there

[TechX]

If they are completely worn down you will have metal to metal contact and noticable noise.

[RedLineZO6]

after you take the drum off, grab a nickel and if you have less than the thickness of a nickel, then you need them to be replaced. If they are riveted shoes, then they shouldn't have less thatn 1/8" of material above the rivets. Bonded and integrally molded give you more time b4 you go metal to metal. But with those you should use the nickel method. Remember... brake dust kills tho... lol even if its not asbestos