Parking brake shoe linings on models with rear disc brakes may be made from materials containing asbestos. Pay attention to the Warning at the beginning of the Section Replacement of shoes of drums of brake mechanisms. When servicing these components, do not create dust by rubbing or sanding the linings.
The parking brake system should be checked regularly. With the car on a hill, apply the parking brake, put the gear in neutral and check if one parking brake, with the brakes released, will be able to hold the car (You must be in the car during the check). However, every two years, or if a malfunction is suspected, the parking brake assembly itself should be inspected.
1. Having jacked up the car and having established it on axial support, remove back wheels.
2. On models with drum rear brake mechanisms, perform the usual procedure for checking the thickness of the brake shoe linings described in Chapter Car maintenance.
3. On models with disc rear brakes, remove the rear discs as described in Section Inspection, removal and installation of the brake disc. Hang the caliper assemblies on a clothes hanger or thick wire; do not disconnect the brake lines from the caliper.
4. With the disc removed, the parking brake components are clearly visible and can be inspected for signs of wear and damage. Typically, the service life of the pads is the same as that of a car. However, they can wear out if the parking brake system is poorly adjusted, or if the parking brake is constantly used to stop the vehicle. There is no minimum value for lining thickness for parking brake shoes, but practice shows that if it is less than 1.5 mm, the lining should be replaced. Also check the springs and adjustment mechanism and inspect the drum for deep scratches or other damage.
Removal and installation
The following procedure applies only to models with rear disc brakes. The parking brake system on models with rear drum brakes is an integral part of the rear brake assembly (see Section Replacement of shoes of drums of brake mechanisms).
1. Loosen the rear wheel mounting bolts, jack up the rear of the vehicle and place it securely on axle stands. Remove rear wheels. Remove the brake discs (see Section Inspection, removal and installation of the brake disc). Work on only one side of the car at a time so that the other can serve as a reference for assembly and avoid mixing up parts.
2. Remove the bottom shoe return spring (in this case, diagonal tongs are used, because. they grip the spring well, but care must be taken not to damage the spring).
3. Remove the top shoe return spring.
4. Remove the shoe retaining springs.
5. Remove the brake shoes.
6. Install in reverse order. At the end of the work, the actuator should be correctly installed between the two shoes, as shown in the photo (hub removed for clarity).
7. After installing the brake disc, adjust the parking brake shoes. Temporarily install the two wheel bolts, turn the adjuster and spread the shoes just enough to block the disc, then back it up just enough so that the shoes don't brake (see Section Parking brake adjustment). Install the wheel bolts and tighten them to the required torque.