98 Lumina Drum Brake Problem. PLEASE HELP!

[taxman9]

I need help bad! After changing the front pads and getting the drums off my 98 Lumina I thought my work was coming to an end. Unfortunately, that was yesterday and my car is till on jacks. I disembled one side, shoes, spring, retainer, etc. My problem is reassembling it back onto the car. I understand how the pieces look (from viewing the other side thats still intact) but I cannot get all the pieces back on, is there a specific order, or any special things I need to do? I am having the biggest problem with the horeshoe shapped brace that holds the shoes on. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated, this is extremely frustrating. Please help

[amac209]

i use vise grips to crimp it on. do you have brake spring pliers?? if not get some they cost about $10 at nappa and are worth every penny. what i usually do is hook up the parking brake lever(horse shoe thing) and put the lower spring in that ties the shoes together and put the adjuster linkage in place and the spring for it, next position the equalizer bar, and spread the shoes apart and put them in place, next put the pins in the backing plate through the shoes and install the clips that hold them down. now turn the adjuster in all the way and put it in place, push the shoes against the wheel cylinder to push the pistons in as far as you can, now put the remaining springs in. now all you have to do is adjust the brakes, this is done with the drum in place and the rubber plug on the backing plate removed, a small screwdriver works for this but a brake spoon is recomended. i usually adjust them up untill the drum is locked up then back it off just untill it turns freely, you need an extra screwdriver or pick to back it off by pushing the adjuster lock away from the star wheel while turning it.http://autorepair.about.com/cs/doity.../aa031701a.htm
this link should help you out and probably includes some stuff i forgot to mention.
good luck.

[taxman9]

Thank you for the helpful hints, they REALLY HELPED! After some busted knuckles I finally finished, the next car I buy will definitely have four wheel disc brakes!