Drum Brake System: Description and Operation

WARNING: Brake fluid contains polyglycol ethers and polyglycols. Avoid contact with the eyes. Wash hands thoroughly after handling. If brake fluid contacts the eyes, flush the eyes for 15 minutes with cold running water. Get medical attention if irritation persists. If taken internally, drink water and induce vomiting. Get medical attention immediately. Failure to follow these instructions will result in personal injury.

The rear drum brakes are a standard non-booster system with rear wheel cylinders mounted on the backing plates. The brake shoes are operated by the parking brake cable and conduit for parking brake function and adjusted by the rear brake strut and quadrants that compensate for normal lining wear.
The drum brake system consists of:
- Drum
- Shoes and linings
- Shoe retracting springs
- Shoe hold down springs
- Shoe hold down spring pins
- Wheel cylinders
- Strut and brake shoe adjuster
- Backing plates
- Parking brake rear cable

Using the parking brake lever automatically adjusts the rear brake shoes. As the parking brake lever is applied a cam in the rear brake strut and brake shoe adjuster will move and adjust the rear brakes.