Whenever the brake shoes are replaced, the return and hold-down springs should also be replaced due to the continuous heating and cooling cycle that causes them to lose tension over time, potentially allowing the shoes to drag on the drum and wear at an accelerated rate. To remove the drum, first loosen the wheel lug nuts, raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it on jackstands, ensuring the parking brake is released. Block the front wheels and remove the rear wheels. Grasp the brake drum and pull it off; if it is stuck, remove the rubber plug from the backing plate and loosen the brake adjuster star wheel. If the drum remains attached to the hub, thread two bolts into the drum holes and turn them clockwise until the drum breaks loose. Check the drum for cracks, score marks, deep grooves, and signs of overheating; if blue spots are present, the drums should be replaced. Look for grease or brake fluid on the shoe contact surface, which can be cleaned, but contaminated brake shoes must be replaced. Surface glazing can be removed with sandpaper or emery cloth, and resurfacing the drums is recommended to prevent out-of-round issues. Inspect the wheel cylinder for fluid leakage and check the brake shoes for cracks, contamination, and wear. Once new shoes are in place, adjust the diameter of the shoe assembly to be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the brake drum, working on one side at a time. Install the brake drum and use a narrow screwdriver or brake adjusting tool to turn the star wheel until the brakes drag slightly, then adjust until the drum turns freely. Repeat the shoe replacement procedure on the opposite wheel, adjust the shoes, install the plug in the backing plate access hole, and reinstall the wheels, tightening the lug nuts to the specified torque. Pump the brake pedal several times and top off the master cylinder with brake fluid if necessary, then drive the vehicle backwards and forwards a few times, applying the brakes sharply at each stop to adjust the brake shoes, rechecking the fluid level and ensuring proper brake operation before driving in traffic.
Posted by NissanPartsDeal Specialist 
