Time for new rear brakes?

[ecotourist]

Originally Posted By: Ducked
Drum brakes CAN be easy to work on.

They CAN also be a real pain in the arse.

It just depends on the breaks (and, of course, on the brakes)

Agreed. The first time I tried to remove rear brake drums I needed someone to show me how to loosen the star wheel. Once you get the drums off it's like duck soup, mostly.

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: bigjl
I would be taking the brakes apart and seeing if the shoes are glazed.

The only reason I say that is you say the noise goes away with usage.

The only caveat is that due to the amount of work to get to the shoes and clean them and the inside of the drums up you may aswell change the shoes anyway.


I disagree. I just popped off my drums today while doing struts. Maybe 10 minutes extra per side to remove the drums and apply anti-seize to mating surfaces, and to verify lining was ok. Play with the springs etc... much more time.

Ok, I was already in there, so it was no real extra time. Job could be done at the same time as a tire rotation, with a similar "cost" in time.

Now, if it was an older car which was going to be kept for much longer, then sure, buy all parts and just shotgun it. I can see the wisdom in that.

 

[Ducked]

Originally Posted By: supton


Now, if it was an older car which was going to be kept for much longer, then sure, buy all parts and just shotgun it. I can see the wisdom in that.


Don't think I can. Older cars tend to be operated on tighter budgets, and are generally closer to the scrap yard. Once you've taken the drum off, you know you can do it and it'll probably be easier next time, therefore no reason to replace components unless they need replacing.

Call me superstitious, but if you put shiny new shoes on Sod's Law will ensure that your next problem will soak them in oil within a few hundred miles. Or the car will burst into flames.