Cadillac 1244646 Drum Assembly, Rear Brake

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To remove the rear brake drum, lift the car's rear, support with jackstands, remove the wheel, ensure parking brake is off, and adjust the brake if needed. If stuck, tap the drum with a hammer. To install, reverse the removal steps and adjust brakes afterward. Check the drum for cracks or scores. Light scores can be smoothed with emery cloth; if deep, turn the drum but not beyond 0.060 in. (1.5mm).

To remove and install the brake drum, first raise and safely support the vehicle, then remove the wheel and tire assembly. If equipped, discard the retainers from the wheel studs as they do not need to be reinstalled. Next, remove the brake drum; if it is difficult to remove, ensure the parking brake is released and back off the parking brake cable adjustment. For vehicles from 1990 to early 1992, remove the access hole plug from the backing plate, while for 1992-93 vehicles with a knockout slug in the drum, use a hammer and metal punch to bend in the backing plate knockout slug. Insert a suitable tool through the hole to push the parking brake lever off its stop, allowing the brake shoes to retract slightly. Apply penetrating oil around the drum pilot hole and gently tap the outer rim of the drum with a rubber mallet, avoiding excessive force. After removing a drum with a metal knockout slug, use pliers or vise grips to remove the slug and install a rubber access hole plug to prevent contamination. Inspect the brake drum for cracks, scores, deep grooves, out-of-roundness, and taper, replacing any cracked drum as it is unsafe. Light scoring not exceeding 1/16 in. (1.5mm) is acceptable, but heavy scoring may require machining. If the brake shoes are slightly worn and the drum is grooved, polish the drum with fine emery cloth instead of machining. However, if replacing the brake shoes, a grooved drum must be machined to ensure proper performance. An out-of-round or tapered drum can lead to inaccurate brake shoe adjustment and excessive wear on other brake parts, as well as irregular tire tread wear and a pulsating brake pedal. Measure the inside diameter of the drum at several points using an inside micrometer to check for out-of-roundness and taper, and machine the drum as necessary while adhering to the maximum machine diameter specification. To install, adjust the brake shoes and reinstall the brake drum, followed by the wheel and tire assembly, and lower the vehicle.

Whenever the disc brake pads are inspected for wear, it is important to also check the condition of the disc (rotor) surfaces. Light scoring or grooving is normal, but deep grooves or severe erosion are not acceptable. Models from 1974 and earlier feature a single deep groove known as a 'squeal' groove, which should not be mistaken for damage. If vibration occurs during brake pedal application, disc runout may be the cause. To check for this, a dial gauge or feeler blades can be used between the disc and a fixed point, ensuring that the runout does not exceed 0.004 inches. Variations in disc thickness greater than 0.0005 inches can also lead to vibration during braking. Discs typically have wear limit and refinish thickness dimensions cast into them, and if a dealer cannot refinish a disc to meet specified tolerances, a new disc must be installed. When a brake drum is removed for lining inspection, it should be checked for cracks, scoring, or being out of round. An out-of-round drum can cause a pulsating feeling in the brake pedal during application, and the internal diameter should be measured at various points using an internal micrometer. Drums can be refinished internally as long as the wear and refinish sizes cast into them are not exceeded.

Discs typically have wear limit and refinish thickness dimensions cast into them. If a dealer cannot refinish a disc to meet specified tolerances, a new disc must be installed.

A new disc must be installed.