My brake went out, cylinder broke and shoes were shot to hell, we took the wheel apart, and set everything down so we could put it back in, that way it wouldn't be so much of a puzzle to put back together. but that failed and now we are having problems figuring out exavtly what parts go back in in what order on my 1981 Chevrolet Van G10

First of all, you have no rear axle. Are you talking about the subframe or your hubs? As for drum size, I would go with the same size that are coming off. If you want to (and can) go bigger, you just need to make sure they have enough clearance inside your wheels. When ordering parts, you will be asking for: wheel cylinders, shoes, spring kit and drums. Note: the wheel cylinders you will only need to change if you are changing the SIZE of your drums or IF THEY LEAK. To see if they are good, pull your drums, smack your shoes from one side then to the other (using the palms of your hands) then back to center. Pull back the rubber boots and inspect for moisture. If they're dry, don't change the cylinders. If they're wet, they're leaking and need to be replaced. Now, if you do need to replace your wheel cylinder(s), you need to look in behind and assess the condition of the brake line fitting. If it looks rotten beyond all hell, you'll likely be into doing the brake line(s) as well. NOTE: when you actually do get into changin your brakes, do ONE SIDE AT A TIME. Drum brakes can be complex and if you take apart both sides then you have no reference as to how to put them back together!

SECTION 206-02: Drum Brake 1999 Cougar Workshop Manual REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Procedure revision date: 09/14/2001 Brake Shoes Removal

1. Loosen the wheel nuts.

1. Raise and support the vehicle. For additional information, refer to Section 100-02.

1. Remove the wheel.

1. Release the brake shoe automatic adjuster.

1. Remove the brake drum.
   1. Remove the retainers (if equipped).
   1. Remove the drum.

1. Make sure that the hub flange is in the correct position as shown.

1. Remove the hold down springs.

1. Disconnect the parking brake cable.
   1. Lever the secondary shoe outwards.
   1. Disconnect the cable from the secondary shoe.

1. Disconnect the shoes from the anchor block.
   1. Disconnect the shoes from the anchor block.
   1. Remove the lower return spring.

1. CAUTION: Do not damage the wheel cylinder boots.
   Detach the shoes from the wheel cylinder.

1. Hold the wheel cylinder pistons in place with a rubber band.

1. Remove the upper return spring.

1. Remove the primary shoe from the strut and brake shoe adjuster.
   1. Rotate the adjuster counterclockwise.
   1. Remove the primary shoe.

1. CAUTION: Take care as the strut support spring is under tension.
   Detach the secondary shoe from the strut support.
   • Detach the strut from the shoe by levering the strut against the shoe.

1. Remove the parking brake return spring.

Installation
NOTE: Install new shoes as axle sets.

1. Clean, check and apply Silicon Dielectric Compound D742-18A331-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESA-M1C171-A to the backing plate contact points.

1. Install the parking brake return spring.

1. Install the secondary shoe to the strut and brake shoe adjuster.

1. Install the primary shoe to the strut and brake shoe adjuster.
   1. Install the primary shoe.
   1. Rotate the adjuster fully clockwise.

1. Install the upper return spring.

1. Remove the rubber band holding the wheel cylinder pistons in place.

1. CAUTION: Do not damage the wheel cylinder boots.
   Position the shoes to the wheel cylinder.

1. Position the shoes to the anchor block.
   1. Install the lower return spring.
   1. Position the shoes to the anchor block.

1. Install the hold down springs.

1. Install the parking brake cable.
   1. Lever the secondary shoe outwards.
   1. Install the cable to the secondary shoe.

1. Install the brake drum.
   1. Install the drum.
   1. Install the retainers (if equipped).

1. Install the wheel.

1. Operate the brake pedal to achieve automatic adjustment.

Most likely rellted to the rear wheel cylinder. You need to remove the tire, probably replace the brake shoes if they are wet with fluid, wipe down brake drum with carb or brake cleaner, install new wheel cylinder and put everything else back together. Wheel cylinder is available through most auto parts outlets. Probaby less than $15.

Remove wheel, brake drum, and brake shoes. The cylinder is the part the brake line goes into and it spreads the brake shoes apart when you brake.

Loosen the brake line but do not take off, unbolt the cylinder and then disconnect brake line. loosely connect the brake line to the new cylinder so you do not loose much brake fluid, bolt new cylinder in and then tighten the brake line.
Reinstall shoes. There should be a bleeding screw/grease head in the brake cylinder, loosen this and have someone step on the brake to bleed the line, have them hold the brake while you tighten the bleed screw. Do this as many times as necessary until brake fluid only with no air comes out.
Reinstall drum and tire, top off brake fluid.

tack of drum look for cracks look for scaping jack up securely tern tier by hand take apart side that is making most noise. it shouldn't take any time to wear in this ant right have some one else do it.

there is no springs on brake pads,
if you mean rear drum ,brake shoes,which springs are you having trouble with,the round cylinder springs that hold the shoes fast to the backing plate or the the return springs that bring the shoes back after being pushed out by wheel cylinders.

If you are just replacing the shoes and drums then it's really not a bad job. Replacement parts are fairly cheap and you can get away with doing most of the job with needle nose pliers instead of buying special tools. I'd recommend you drive with your e-brake on a little just to scuff off any ridges on the drums or shoes before you take off the rear wheels. This makes the drums a lot easier to get off, though you'll still probably need a good sized hammer and a lil elbow grease. Support the rear axle with jack stands and chock the front wheels. Take off the rear wheels. Give the drums liberal love with a good sized hammer, I've even seen sledges used on real bad ones. Once they are free take off the drums. Note the positions of all the hardware, maybe even take a digital camera pic since it's your first time, everything must be hooked up as it came off. Hold the pin on the back side of the backing plate and use the needlenose to twist it out of it's holder to get the shoes off, then clean everything with brake cleaner (get it at the parts store with the parts, 2 cans should be ok). Apply wheel bearing grease wherever the shoes will touch a flat part, should be 2 or 3 on the backing plate. DO NOT GET GREASE ON THE SHOE FRICTION MATERIAL!... brakes will smoke bad and not work so hot if you do... so a little dab will do ya, just enough to keep them from being noisy or binding later. Assemble as you took them off. Don't forget to tighten the lugs again after the truck is on the ground. Adjustments can be made with the adjuster wheel in the middle and a flat head screwdriver by popping out the rubber cap on the backing plate. Match the number of clicks or turns on both sides. Thorough cleaning and lubing of moving parts while you have everything apart will make your brakes work well and keep life easy for you. Inspecting the wheel cylinders (on the top between the pads) while everything is apart is a good idea too. They're cheap and now is the time to replace them if you need to. Look inside the rubber boots for brake fluid and check around them for evidence of leaks, it's not worth doing if you're just gonna ruin the parts you're putting on so do it if you need to, or just for the hell of it. Hope that helps.

check to make sure that you did not put both primary brake shoes on one side. it is common for the rear brake shoe to be a little larger than the front and sometimes a little thicker.

help is here:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/villagerquest/

Drum Removal

1. Remove the rear wheel and the tire assembly. Refer to Section 204-04 .

1. Retract the brake shoes and loosen the brake adjuster screw.

1. Remove the brake drum.

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May require big hammer to loosen drum from axle flange. Hit between the the lugs, not on them.

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#10 is access plug to back off adjusting wheel.


Item Part Number Description 1 2261 Rear wheel cylinder 2 — Dust boot (part of 2128) 3 2197 Wheel cylinder piston (part of 2261) 4 — Cup (part of 2128) 5 2204 Wheel cylinder piston cup spring (part of 2128) 6 — Wheel cylinder housing (part of 2261) 7 — Brake shoe hold-down pin 8 — Access hole (part of 2212) 9 — Rear brake bleeder screw (part of 2261) 10 — Access hole plug 11 — Rear wheel cylinder bolt 12 2212 Rear brake backing plate 13 — Rear brake backing plate bolts 14 2N790 Parking brake lever clip 15 — Spring washer 16 — Secondary brake shoe and lining (part of 2200) 17 — Brake shoe hold-down spring (part of 2B514) 18 — Lower retracting spring (part of 2B514) 19 2A637 Parking brake lever 20 — Parking brake lever pin 21 2A177 Brake shoe adjusting lever 22 — Adjuster lever pin (part of 2A177) 23 — Primary brake shoe and lining (part of 2200) 24 — Upper retracting spring (part of 2B514) 25 2041 Brake adjuster screw

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Shoes Removal

Take a picture and remember how each part goes and attaches

1. Remove the brake drum, refer to Drum in this section.

1. Remove the upper retracting spring.

1. Remove the lower retracting spring.

1. Remove the self-adjuster.

1. Remove the hold-down springs.

1. Remove the parking brake lever clip and the parking brake lever.

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 .