Steps to Replace Rear Drum Brakes on a Honda Civic Efficiently

How to Change Honda Civic Rear Drum Brakes

Maintaining your Honda Civic is crucial for ensuring its longevity and performance. One of the essential maintenance tasks you may encounter is changing the rear drum brakes. While it might seem daunting, with the right tools and a little patience, you can complete the task successfully. This guide will take you through the step-by-step process of changing the rear drum brakes on a Honda Civic.

Tools and Materials You Will Need

Before you start, gather the necessary tools and materials

- New rear drum brake shoes - Brake drum - Brake cleaner - Socket set - Wrench set - Screwdriver - Pliers - Drum brake tool kit (optional but helpful) - Jack and jack stands - Safety glasses - Gloves

Step 1 Preparation

1. Safety First Wear safety glasses and gloves to protect yourself from debris and chemicals. 2. Park the Vehicle Ensure the car is parked on a flat surface, engage the parking brake, and turn off the ignition.

3. Lift the Car Use a jack to lift the rear end of the Civic and secure it with jack stands. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.

Step 2 Remove the Wheels

1. Loosen Lug Nuts Before lifting the car, slightly loosen the lug nuts using a lug wrench. You don’t need to remove them completely yet.

2. Remove the Wheels Once the car is elevated and stable, remove the lug nuts completely and take the wheels off to access the brake drums.

Step 3 Remove the Brake Drums

1. Inspect for Holes Look for a small hole in the back of the brake drum. If your Civic has one, use a screwdriver or a brake drum tool to release the brake shoe adjustment by pushing inward.

2. Take Off the Drum If the drums are stuck, you may need to tap them lightly with a hammer to loosen them. Once they’re free, pull them off.

1. Take Photos Before disassembling the components, take pictures of the brake assembly. This will help you remember how to reassemble it later.

2. Remove Old Brake Shoes Using your pliers, remove the retaining springs that hold the brake shoes in place. Once the springs are removed, you can take off the old brake shoes.

3. Inspect Components Check the wheel cylinder and other components for wear and damage. If any parts look worn out, consider replacing them as well.

Step 5 Install New Brake Shoes

1. Prepare the New Shoes Before installing, clean the brake parts using brake cleaner. Ensure there’s no dust or grease.

2. Install New Brake Shoes Begin by placing the new brake shoes into the assembly. Make sure they sit flush against the backing plate and attach them using the retaining springs. Reference your photos if needed.

3. Adjust the Brake Shoes If necessary, use your brake drum tool or screwdriver to adjust the shoes so they line up correctly with the drum.

Step 6 Reinstall the Brake Drums

1. Put the Drums Back On Slide the brake drums back onto the wheel hubs. Ensure they spin freely without any grinding or sticking.

2. Check Adjustments Before putting the wheels back on, double-check that everything is adjusted correctly and that the shoes are not too tight against the drums.

Step 7 Reinstall the Wheels

1. Put the Wheels On Place the wheels back on the wheel hubs and hand-tighten the lug nuts.

2. Lower the Car Use the jack to lift the car slightly to remove the jack stands. Lower the car back to the ground.

3. Tighten Lug Nuts Finally, fully tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern to ensure even torque.

Conclusion

Replacing the rear drum brakes on a Honda Civic can be a relatively straightforward task with the right preparation and tools. Regularly inspecting and maintaining your brake system is critical for your safety and the overall performance of your vehicle. If at any point you feel unsure, consult a professional mechanic for assistance. Enjoy driving your Honda Civic with confidence, knowing that your brakes are in good condition!