Drum Brake help needed!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
Car: Firebird Formula
Engine: 305 tbi
Drum Brake help needed!
Noob here to the 3rd gen world. first firebird 
i have a 1990 firebird formula. 305 tbi 5 speed manual. i bought the car recently and all is almost good. except the rear brakes as a whole. all of the springs, plates, adjusters etc have been removed and put into rubbermaid containers by the PO (Previous Owner). i am in search of diagrams on how to reinstall them. new wheel cylinders were just installed by me, i just need to see a "how to" on all the springs etc.. Thanks
Quinn

i have a 1990 firebird formula. 305 tbi 5 speed manual. i bought the car recently and all is almost good. except the rear brakes as a whole. all of the springs, plates, adjusters etc have been removed and put into rubbermaid containers by the PO (Previous Owner). i am in search of diagrams on how to reinstall them. new wheel cylinders were just installed by me, i just need to see a "how to" on all the springs etc.. Thanks
Quinn
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 68
Likes: 2
From: jacksonville Fl
Car: 1991 camaro rs
Engine: 496 big block
Transmission: th400
Axle/Gears: stock rearend. 3.23
Re: Drum Brake help needed!
go buy a manual from the store. they have diagrams in there for just such a thing. also you can buy what is called the hardware set or kit (all the springs and pins) and they are color coded some of them come with everthing and they are about 15-20 bucks per side, plus every thing will be new and while your add it buy new pads if you have not already. pads with brake fluid on them are a bad thing. most of the time the kits have diagrams in the box also. hope this helps
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
Car: Firebird Formula
Engine: 305 tbi
Re: Drum Brake help needed!
I have a Chilton manual and cant seem to find any type of diagram in there at all. Is chilton a bad brand for a manual?
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 661
Likes: 7
From: Texas
Car: 91 Firebird/88 Firebird/91 Formula
Engine: V6 3.1/V8 5.0/V8 5.0
Transmission: 4L60/700R4/4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.23/2.73/2.73
Re: Drum Brake help needed!
Hopefully between the three pics it'll come together. Good luck.
Supreme Member
iTrader: (13)
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,535
Likes: 17
From: Bowdon, GA.
Car: 1988 Camaro
Engine: 355, 10.34:1, 249/252 @.050", IK200
Transmission: TH-400, 3500 stall 9.5" converter
Axle/Gears: Ford 9", detroit locker, 3.89 gears
Re: Drum Brake help needed!
Sign up (for free) on autozone.com and you can veiw repair manuals their site.
Raise and safely support the vehicle.
Remove the wheel and tire assemblies.
Remove the brake drum.
Remove the return springs.
Remove the hold-down springs and pins. Remove the lever pivot.
Remove the actuator link while lifting up on the actuator lever.
Remove the actuator lever and lever return spring.
Remove the shoe guide, parking brake strut and strut spring.
Remove the brake shoes and disconnect the parking brake lever from the shoe.
Remove the adjusting screw assembly and spring. Remove the retaining ring, pin from the secondary shoe.
To install:
Any part or spring which may appear worn should be replace. The short shoe (primary) should be installed to the front of the vehicle and the long shoe (secondary) should be installed to the rear. After complete installation of the brake shoes a clicking sound should be heard when turning the adjusting screw or self-adjuster. Do not switch parts from the left or right brake assembly, the adjusters are designated Left and Right.
Clean dirt from all parts and wire brush raised pads on backing plate. Lubricate backing plate pads and adjusting screw with brake grease.
Install the parking brake lever on the secondary shoe with the pin and new retaining ring.
Install the adjusting screw and spring. Lubricate the adjusting screw with brake (white) grease.
Clean and lubricate the contact points of the backing plate. Install the brake shoe assemblies after installing the parking brake cable on the shoe.
Install the parking brake strut and strut spring by spreading the shoes apart.
Install the shoe guide, actuator lever and lever return spring.
Install the hold-down pins, lever pivot and springs. Install the actuator link on the anchor pin.
Install the actuator link into the actuator lever while holding up on the lever.
Install the shoe return springs. Install the brake drum. Install the wheel and tire assemblies.
Adjust the brake and lower the vehicle. Check emergency brake for proper adjustment.
Raise and safely support the vehicle.
Remove the wheel and tire assemblies.
Remove the brake drum.
Remove the return springs.
Remove the hold-down springs and pins. Remove the lever pivot.
Remove the actuator link while lifting up on the actuator lever.
Remove the actuator lever and lever return spring.
Remove the shoe guide, parking brake strut and strut spring.
Remove the brake shoes and disconnect the parking brake lever from the shoe.
Remove the adjusting screw assembly and spring. Remove the retaining ring, pin from the secondary shoe.
To install:
Any part or spring which may appear worn should be replace. The short shoe (primary) should be installed to the front of the vehicle and the long shoe (secondary) should be installed to the rear. After complete installation of the brake shoes a clicking sound should be heard when turning the adjusting screw or self-adjuster. Do not switch parts from the left or right brake assembly, the adjusters are designated Left and Right.
Clean dirt from all parts and wire brush raised pads on backing plate. Lubricate backing plate pads and adjusting screw with brake grease.
Install the parking brake lever on the secondary shoe with the pin and new retaining ring.
Install the adjusting screw and spring. Lubricate the adjusting screw with brake (white) grease.
Clean and lubricate the contact points of the backing plate. Install the brake shoe assemblies after installing the parking brake cable on the shoe.
Install the parking brake strut and strut spring by spreading the shoes apart.
Install the shoe guide, actuator lever and lever return spring.
Install the hold-down pins, lever pivot and springs. Install the actuator link on the anchor pin.
Install the actuator link into the actuator lever while holding up on the lever.
Install the shoe return springs. Install the brake drum. Install the wheel and tire assemblies.
Adjust the brake and lower the vehicle. Check emergency brake for proper adjustment.
Supreme Member
iTrader: (13)
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,535
Likes: 17
From: Bowdon, GA.
Car: 1988 Camaro
Engine: 355, 10.34:1, 249/252 @.050", IK200
Transmission: TH-400, 3500 stall 9.5" converter
Axle/Gears: Ford 9", detroit locker, 3.89 gears
Re: Drum Brake help needed!
here's the rest of the pics
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 19,282
Likes: 103
From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: Drum Brake help needed!
JamesC
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
Car: Firebird Formula
Engine: 305 tbi
Re: Drum Brake help needed!
Appreciate the fast replies! those pictures should do it NightRider
Last question
---- when buying fittings ( going from Wheel cyl --> T <--- Wheel cyl ) what fittings should i get? metric i read on here is used after 1984. this true? Thanks.
To clarify i meant fittings at the wheel cyl? they didnt come with any.
Last question
---- when buying fittings ( going from Wheel cyl --> T <--- Wheel cyl ) what fittings should i get? metric i read on here is used after 1984. this true? Thanks.
To clarify i meant fittings at the wheel cyl? they didnt come with any.
Last edited by Quinn P; Feb 18, 2015 at 07:14 AM.
Supreme Member
iTrader: (13)
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,535
Likes: 17
From: Bowdon, GA.
Car: 1988 Camaro
Engine: 355, 10.34:1, 249/252 @.050", IK200
Transmission: TH-400, 3500 stall 9.5" converter
Axle/Gears: Ford 9", detroit locker, 3.89 gears
Re: Drum Brake help needed!
Yeah the '84 and later cars had ISO metric bubble flared brake fittings
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