Drum Brake Components

Q: I have a truck with rear drum brakes. After looking at the brake shoes I decided I should replace them. The frictional material was getting really thin. The auto parts person informed me that I should also buy a rear brake hardware kit, so I did. What is the best method to make sure I get all the springs and clips in the correct position?

A: Your auto parts person was correct. You should replace the hardware when replacing the shoes. One method to make sure you reassemble everything correctly is to remove both rear brake drums and only disassemble one side at a time. Use the other side for reference. You can also use your cell phone camera to take a picture or two on how all the springs and clips are assembled. Use the photos for reference. Also, make sure you have the brake rotors resurfaced before reinstalling.