How do you change the rear drum brakes on a 1997 Nissan Sentra?

Answer 1

Your best bet when playing with brakes is to leave it to the professionals if you do not know how. BUt providing you have some basic knowledge of auto repair, here goes. You need to back off the parking brake by removing the cap plugging the hole in the backing plate, this exposes the star wheel that you need to turn with a screwdriver or a brake spoon while applying pressure to the tension piece that holds the star wheel from turning backwards with another screwdriver. SOUND FUN YET? This should have you to the point of drum removal (obviously I did not cover tire removal because if someone cant do that, they need not even attempt brakes) Remove the drums (do not remove anything but) NOW, on one side only start carfully removing the springs and such and disconnect the parking brake cable from the shoes (leave the other side of the vehicle together minus the drum so you have a reference) I always replace the hardware kit with every rear brake job that i do. Look for leaking wheel cylinders, replace if leaking. Always spray everything down with brake parts cleaner before taking the drum off and after to avoid breathing dust (asbestos) Always spray off the oil on the new brake drums (use the brake Kleen again) Do not get grease on the new shoes I am not responsible for anyone doing anything they should not be doing.