Parking brake shoes — inspection, removal and installation (Opel Omega B2)

Inspection

1. Remove the rear brake discs (see the relevant chapter).

2. Clean the pads, backing plate and the inside of the disc drum from dust and dirt.

3. Check the thickness of the brake linings on the shoes and, if they have worn down to the maximum permissible thickness, replace them.

4. Inspect the inside surface of the drums and measure their inner diameter.

Removal

5. Disconnect the return spring from the lever on the brake support plate, and then disconnect the parking brake cable from the lever.

6. Rotate the spring support cups of the brake shoe tension pins by 90°, holding the tension pin on the rear side of the brake mechanism support shield from turning (see illustration). This is a rather labor-intensive operation, because access to the tension pins is difficult.



7. Mark the location of the brake shoes and tie rods.

8. Press the brake shoes away from the release bar and lever. Disconnect the upper and lower tension springs from the brake shoes (see illustrations 7.8 and 7.8a), then remove the pads from the brake backing plate.







9. Remove the release bar and the parking brake actuator lever.

10. Clean the brake backing plate, springs, release bar and lever.

11. Apply a small amount of brake grease to the threads of the expansion bar and squeeze the bar.

Installation

12. Assemble the brake shoe drive lever, apply a small amount of copper grease to the contact surfaces, then install the assembled lever on the support shield, securing it in the rubber sealing ring (see illustrations 7.12, 7.12a and 7.12b).







13. Attach the cable end to the parking brake shoe drive lever, and then install the return spring (see illustration).





14. Apply a small amount of high temperature grease or anti-lock compound to the contact surfaces of the backing plate with the pads.

15. Install the brake shoe clamp pins onto the support shield, then install the front (driven) shoe onto them and secure it with the spring and its support cup (see illustrations 7.15, 7.15a and 7.156).







16. Secure the rear (leading) shoe and install the lower tension spring (see illustrations 7.16 and 7.16a).







17. Secure the leading brake shoe to the backing plate with a tension pin by turning the spring support cup 90° (see illustration).



18. Place the expansion bar between the upper ends of the pads (see illustration).



19. Connect the upper tension spring to the pads (see illustration).





20. Install the rear wheel hub if it was removed.

21. Install the brake disc on the hub and move the parking brake shoes slightly away from the drum by turning the spreader bar gear with a screwdriver so that they do not interfere with installation (see illustration).



22. Secure the brake disc (see the relevant chapter).

23. Adjust the parking brake.

24. Install the wheels and lower the vehicle and tighten the wheel bolts to the specified torque.