How to adjust rear brakes

Usually you can pull the e=brake about 10 times,it should adjust them,or do it more.

Removal
1.Remove rear wheel and tire assembly from vehicle.

2.Remove rear brake drums from hub and bearing assemblies after loosening the two brake drum screws.

3.Be sure that the parking brake pedal is in the release(most upward) position.

4.Completely loosen square nut of the rear parking brake cable. Then create slack in the rear parking brake cables.

5.Remove adjuster spring from adjust lever and brake shoe.

6.Remove adjust lever and turn the adjusting wheel of adjuster assembly to the direction of the arrow as shown.

7.Remove the strut spring and the lower retracting spring from the brake shoe.

8.Remove the upper return spring from the brake shoe.

9.Remove brake back plate hold down spring and pin from the leading brake shoe assembly.

10.Remove the leading brake shoe. Then remove the adjuster assembly, strut and anchor spring from the trailing brake shoe.

11.Remove the trailing brake shoe from the brake back plate after removing hold down spring and pin.

12.Remove the trailing brake shoe from the rear parking cable.

13.Remove parking pivot lever from the leading brake shoe.

Replacement
1.Lubricate the eight shoe contact areas on the back plate and anchor.

2.Install the trailing brake shoe to the rear parking cable.

3.Install trailing brake shoe on brake back plate and install the trailing brake shoe hold down spring and pin on the brake shoe.

4.Tighten the square nut of rear parking cable.

5.Install the anchor spring then install adjuster assembly, and strut.

6.Install leading brake shoe on brake back plate.

7.Install the brake shoe upper return spring, strut spring and the lower retracting spring to the brake shoe.

8.Properly rotate the adjusting wheel of adjuster assembly to the direction of the arrow in as shown.

9.Install the adjuster spring on the adjust lever and leading brake shoe assembly.

10.Install the leading brake shoe hold down spring and pin on the brake shoe.

11.Adjust brake shoes assemblies so as not to interfere with brake drum installation.

12.Install the rear brake drums on the hubs.

13.Check and adjust whether the pedal stroke in the specification.(Refer to section BR Gr./On-vehicle service/Pedal stroke of parking brake)

14.Install wheel and tire.

15.Push the parking brake pedal to the floor once and release pedal. This will automatically remove the slack from and correctly adjust the parking brake cables.

16.Test the vehiche on the road. The adjust will continue the brake adjustment during the road test of vehicle.

Inspection
1.Inspect the disassembled parts for wear, rust or damage.

2.Measure the thickness of brake shoe lining.
Standard : 0.17 in (4.5 mm)
Minimum : 0.04 in (1 mm)

3.If the shoe lining is less than minimum or shows signs of uneven wear, replace new one.

4.Measure the inside diameter of the brake drum.
Standard : 10 in (254 mm)
Maximum : 10.07 in (256 mm)

5.If the inside diameter of the brake drum is more than maximum or shows signs of uneven wear, replace new one.

6.Inspect the lining and drum for proper contact. If the contact condition is improper, repair it with a grinder or replace the brake shoe assembly.

Did you try adjusting the rear shoes? If out of adjustment they would have to travel farther giving you a low pedal. Also did you try bleeding the abs unit?

Adjustment

1. Place parking brake lever in -full released- position.
2. Raise and support vehicle.
3. Remove plug in parking brake shoe support to access adjuster star-wheel.
4. Through the access hole, rotate the adjuster star wheel in the following direction to expand the shoes outward against the drum:
   1. Left brake - Rotate star-wheel toward rear of vehicle.
   2. Right brake - Rotate star-wheel toward front of vehicle.
5. Using an appropriate tool, turn adjuster star wheel until wheel will not rotate (dead lock).
6. Back off adjuster six detents (teeth).
7. Rotate wheel, checking for light drag. If drag is too heavy, continue to back off adjuster one detent at a time until light drag is present. Do not back off star-wheel more than 17 detents from wheel lock.
8. Install access plug.
9. Adjust opposite wheel parking brake shoes using same method.
10. Lower vehicle.
11. Apply and release parking brake lever once to ensure proper operation of parking brakes.

Removal & Installation NOTE The following procedure may be used to remove shoes on either side of the vehicle.

1. Lock out automatic adjuster in parking brake lever.
2. Raise and support vehicle.
3. Access and remove rear hub and bearing.
4. Remove parking brake cable bolt at knuckle.
5. Completely back off parking brake shoe adjustment.
6. Remove parking brake shoe adjuster spring.
7. Remove shoe adjuster.
8. Remove upper brake shoe hold-down clip and pin.
9. Remove lower brake shoe hold-down clip and pin.
10. Remove upper and lower shoes with return spring from shoe actuator.
11. Remove return spring from shoes.
    
    

    Fig. View of the actuator (1), support (2), adjuster spring (3), return spring (4), caliper adapter (5), shoes (6), hold-down clips and pins (7) and adjuster (8)
    

To install:

1. Install return spring between upper and lower shoes.
   NOTE Before installing shoes on actuator, make sure actuator hooked to rear cable is positioned with word -UP- facing outward.
2. Install upper and lower shoes with return spring on shoe actuator located on parking brake cable.
3. Install lower brake shoe hold-down pin through rear of support and lower shoe, then install hold-down clip.
4. Install upper brake shoe hold-down pin through rear of support and upper shoe, then install hold-down clip.
5. Install shoe adjuster. Place end of adjuster with star wheel upward.
6. Install parking brake shoe adjuster spring.
7. Install bolt securing parking brake cable to knuckle and tighten bolt to 21 ft. lbs. (28 Nm).
8. Using Brake Shoe Gauge, Special Tool C-3919, or equivalent, measure inside diameter of parking brake drum portion of rotor.
9. Place Gauge over parking brake shoes at widest point.
10. Using adjuster star wheel, adjust parking brake shoes until linings on both park brake shoes just touch jaws on gauge. This will give a good preliminary adjustment of parking brake shoes, before a final adjustment is made at end of this procedure.
11. Install hub and bearing with wheel speed sensor as well as all components necessary to access it.
12. Lower vehicle.
13. Unlock automatic adjuster in parking brake lever.
14. Perform final adjustment of parking brake shoes

15. 
    Adjustment This vehicle is equipped with permanently sealed rear wheel bearings. There is no periodic lubrication or maintenance recommended for these units.
    

    
    Removal & Installation

    1. Raise and support vehicle.
    2. Remove wheel mounting nuts, then tire and wheel assembly.
    3. If equipped with AWD:
       1. Remove cotter pin, nut lock and spring washer from half shaft.
       2. While a helper applies brakes to keep hub from turning, remove hub nut and washer.
    4. Remove brake caliper and rotor from hub and bearing assembly.
       
       

       Fig. Hub assembly
       

    5. Disconnect vehicle wiring harness connector at wheel speed sensor connector.
    6. Unclip wheel speed sensor connector from spare tire mounting support.
    7. Disconnect two sensor cable routing clips on rear suspension crossmember.
    8. Disconnect two sensor cable routing clips along toe link.
    9. Disconnect sensor cable from bracket on brake support.
       
       
    10. Completely loosen, but do not remove four bolts fastening hub and bearing in place. Once loosened from threads in hub and bearing, push bolts up against rear of hub and bearing to keep brake support plate in place when hub and bearing is removed.
        
        

        Fig. Rear hub and bearing mounting bolts
        

    11. Pull hub and bearing off knuckle and half shaft (if equipped with AWD), then thread wheel speed sensor cable through hole in brake support plate as it is removed with hub and bearing.
        
        
    To install:
    
    1. Position hub and bearing bolts though rear of knuckle and parking brake support just enough to hold support in place as hub and bearing is installed.
    2. Install hub and bearing by first feeding end of wheel speed sensor cable through hole in bottom of parking brake support. As this is being done, if equipped with AWD, slide hub and bearing onto half shaft. Place hub and bearing through brake support, onto knuckle, lining up mounting bolt holes with bolts and placing wheel speed sensor head at bottom.
    3. Install four bolts fastening hub and bearing in place. Tighten mounting bolts to 60 ft. lbs. (81 Nm).
    4. Place wheel speed sensor cable routing grommet into bracket on parking brake support.
    5. Route wheel speed sensor cable along toe link and rear suspension crossmember connecting routing clips where shown.
    1. Connect vehicle wiring harness to wheel speed sensor connector.
    2. Install brake rotor and caliper.
    3. If equipped with AWD:
       1. Install washer and hub nut on end of half shaft.
       2. While a helper applies brakes to keep hub from turning, tighten hub nut to 180 ft. lbs. (244 Nm).
       3. Install spring washer, nut lock and cotter pin on end of half shaft.
    4. Install tire and wheel assembly. Install and tighten wheel mounting nuts to 100 ft. lbs. (135 Nm).
    
    
    

    
    
    

Parking brake lever on leading shoe (end of retractor spring in its hole on the leading shoe). Make sure the the adjuster screw assembly is engaged properly with the leading shoe (also, engaged with the parking brake lever). Adjuster actuator installed on the trailing shoe (also, engaged with the adjuster screw assembly). After inserting the retractor spring in its hole on the trailing shoe, insert actuator spring in its hole (just below wheel cylinder) in leading shoe and stretch across and connect it to the adjuster actuator. Adjust star wheel to get shoes close to drum. Reinstall drum (shoes close with no rub). Reinstall wheel. Push brake pedal for final adjustment. Test forward. Test Backwards. If everything is in the correct place, nothing should pop off. I hope you have a before picture. Haynes manual has good pictures. I own a 2002 Pontiac Montana, but a family member has taken it out of town. My info is from the Haynes manual. I replaced the brake shoes a couple years ago.

After you remove the tire, the drim should slide off. If it doesn't then try using a rubber mallet and gently tap on the outside edge as you pull on it. Sometimes you also need to tap on the drum in the center part. I have sprayed penetrating lubes like WD-40 or PB Blaster into the seam at the center. You may also have to back off the parking brake cable or even use the adjuster to back off the shoes.

Brake Drums & Brake Shoes Removal & Installation To Remove:
Rear Drum Brakes

1. Raise and safely support rear of vehicle.
2. Release parking brake.
3. Remove rear wheel assemblies. NOTE: If brake drum is stuck, install two 8 mm bolts into threaded holes and tighten evenly.
   
4. Remove top return spring, front and rear shoe spring clips and hold-down pins.
5. Remove anti-rattle spring and adjuster spring. NOTE: Note position of operating lever prior to removal.
   
6. Remove bottom return spring.
7. Remove clip and washer and detach parking brake cable from rear shoe.
8. Remove brake shoes.

To Install:

1. Lubricate all brake shoe contact points with appropriate grease.
2. Place operating level into position on hub.
3. Install rear brake shoe and connect parking brake cable to rear shoe with washer and clip.
4. Install front brake shoe and install bottom return spring.
5. Install hold-down pins and spring clips.
6. Position operating lever and install top return spring.
7. Install anti-rattle spring and adjuster spring.
8. Install brake drum and screws.
9. Adjust brakes and install rear wheel assemblies.

• Brake linings that are worn to within 1/32 inch (0.79 mm) of a rivet head or that have been contaminated with brake fluid, grease, or oil must be replaced.

Potential brake shoe problems. Courtesy of Wagner Brake Products.

• Failure to replace worn linings results in a scored drum. When it is necessary to replace brake shoes, they must also be replaced on the wheel on the opposite side of the vehicle. Inspect brake shoes for distortion, cracks, or looseness. If these conditions exist, the shoe must be discarded.
• Do not let brake fluid, oil, or grease touch the brake lining.
• If a brake lining kit is used to replace the linings, follow the instructions in the kit and install all the parts provided.
• The two general methods of attaching the linings to the brake shoes are bonding and riveting.
• The bonded linings are fastened with a special adhesive to the shoe, clamped in place, then cured in an oven. Instead of using an adhesive, some linings are riveted to the shoe.
• Riveted linings allow for better heat transfer than bonded linings.

Drum Shoe and Brake Installation

• Before installing the shoes, be sure to sand or stone the inner edge of the shoe to dress down any slight lining or metal nicks and burrs that could interfere with the sliding upon the support pads.
• A support (backing) plate must be tight on its mount and not bent. Stone the shoe support pads brightly and dress down any burrs or grooves that could cause the shoes to bind or hang up.
• Using an approved lubricant, lightly coat the support pads and the threads of servo star wheel adjusters. On rear axle parking brakes, lubricate any point of potential binding in the linkage and the cable. Do not lubricate nonservo brake adjusters other than to free a frozen adjuster with penetrating oil.

The areas or pads where the brake show will rub or contact the backing plate.

• Reassemble the brakes in the reverse order of disassembly. Make sure all parts are in their proper locations and that both brake shoes are properly positioned in either end of the adjuster.
• Also, both brake shoes should correctly engage the wheel cylinder pushrods and parking brake links.
• They should be centered on the backing plate. Parking brake links and levers should be in place on the rear brakes.
• With all of the parts in place, replace the brake drum.

Sounds like the brakes are adjusted out too far or the emergency brake is on..

Drum, Rear Brake System Standard Rear Brake

Item Part Number Description 1 2069 Brake Shoe Hold-Down Spring Pin 2 — Rear Wheel Cylinder Retaining Bolt (2 Req'd) 3 — Washer (2 Req'd) 4 — Anchor Pin (Part of 2211) 5 — Wheel Cylinder 6 2028 Brake Shoe Anchor Pin Guide Plate 7 2A637 Parking Brake Lever 8 2296 Brake Shoe Retracting Spring (Short) 9 2296 Brake Shoe Retracting Spring (Long) 10 2200 Rear Brake Shoe and Lining (Secondary) 11 — Washer 12 2106 Parking Brake Lever Pin Retainer 13 — Brake Shoe Adjusting Lever Cable Guide 14 2A642 Primary Brake Shoe Parking Brake Lever Link 15 2A601 Parking Brake Link Spring 16 2068 Brake Shoe Hold-Down Spring 17 2A176 Brake Shoe Adjusting Lever 18 2048 Brake Shoe Adjusting Screw Socket 19 2047 Brake Shoe Adjusting Screw Nut 20 2041 Brake Adjusting Screw 21 2049 Brake Shoe Adjusting Screw Spring 22 2200 Rear Brake Shoe and Lining (Primary) 23 2A178 Brake Shoe Adjusting Lever Cable 24 2211 Brake Backing Plate
Heavy Duty Rear Brake

Item Part Number Description 1 — Rear Wheel Cylinder Retaining Bolt 2 00538 Lock Nut 3 2212 Rear Brake Backing Plate 4 2262 Rear Wheel Cylinder 5 2A642 Primary Brake Shoe Parking Brake Lever Link 6 2A601 Parking Brake Link Spring 7 2A637 Parking Brake Lever 8 2106 Parking Brake Lever Pin Retainer 9 — Parking Brake Lever Bolt 10 — Secondary Shoe Assembly 11 2A179 Brake Shoe Adjusting Lever Cable Guide 12 2068 Brake Shoe Hold-Down Spring 13 — Adjusting Lever Pin 14 — Adjusting Lever Return Spring 15 2A176 Brake Shoe Adjusting Lever 16 2047 Brake Shoe Adjusting Screw Nut 17 2049 Brake Shoe Adjusting Screw Spring 18 2041 Brake Adjuster Screw 19 — Primary Shoe Assembly 20 2068 Brake Shoe Hold-Down Spring 21 2200 Rear Brake Shoe and Lining 22 2035 Brake Shoe Retracting Spring 23 2A178 Brake Shoe Adjusting Lever Cable 24 2092 Brake Adjusting Hole Cover 25 2069 Brake Shoe Hold-Down Spring Pin
The rear drum brakes:

• Have internal shoes that expand against the brake drum (1126).
• Are a single-anchor type.
• Are actuated by one rear wheel cylinder (2262).
• Have two pistons in the rear wheel cylinder (2261). One exerts force against the upper end of the primary shoe; the other exerts force against the upper end of the secondary shoe.
• Adjust rear brake shoes and linings (2200) automatically.
• Need manual brake adjustment if the adjusters are not operating properly or after the rear brake shoes and linings have been replaced.

When the brake pedal is applied, hydraulic fluid pressure forces the pistons in the rear wheel cylinder outward, moving the rear brake shoes and linings against the brake drum.
The rear drum brake system includes the parking brake mechanism. Refer to Section 206-05 .