Rear drum help

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Serisdaddy

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Hello all, new here greetings.
Here’s my issue:
I purchased a 99 Yukon SLT and the brakes were grinding in the rear.
I purchased pads, drums etc…
When I took the drivers side off they looked fine but changed anyway.
When I went to the passenger side, all the parts fell to the ground when I took the drum off.
Putting it back together I tried watching a video but got stumped when he got to the bar that runs on the top between the shoes. It has a spring on one end. It wasn’t there. After looking through the parts that fell however I did find something that resembled it only it was curved, assuming it bent while riding around in there Problem is, when I look it up online some places call it a parking brake strut and others call it a drum brake bar, but the part stores that have it say it’s only for the left side

Any help would be great, thanks
 

OR VietVet

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There is a bar on both sides and you should see that since you took them both apart. You can get hardware kits for the shoes and hold down kits as well. You should ALWAYS replace these parts because the heat generated during braking weakens these parts over time. The hold down kits are what likely came apart. That bar is used so that both shoes get pushed against the drum when setting the park brake. It works with the lever that is attached on the backside of the rear most shoe. You should have also noticed that there are two different lengths of shoe surface on the metal shoes. The longer one goes to the rear. I hope someone is watching you do this work since it sounds like you have not done this work before. Brakes are a safety system and important. You should also be replacing the wheel cylinders and bleeding the fluid. At least look at several you tube videos about all this.

Back for an edit: welcome to the forum.
 
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OR VietVet

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To continue about the above post. You should have new drums or at least machine the existing ones, IF they are thick enough. You need to adjust the shoes properly as well. Then when test drive, seat them properly. Not enough time or room to go over all the steps needed to do a safe brake repair. The brake system is the most important system on the vehicle.
 

Joseph Garcia

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Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

Pics of the truck, please.

You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.
 
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Serisdaddy

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There is a bar on both sides and you should see that since you took them both apart. You can get hardware kits for the shoes and hold down kits as well. You should ALWAYS replace these parts because the heat generated during braking weakens these parts over time. The hold down kits are what likely came apart. That bar is used so that both shoes get pushed against the drum when setting the park brake. It works with the lever that is attached on the backside of the rear most shoe. You should have also noticed that there are two different lengths of shoe surface on the metal shoes. The longer one goes to the rear. I hope someone is watching you do this work since it sounds like you have not done this work before. Brakes are a safety system and important. You should also be replacing the wheel cylinders and bleeding the fluid. At least look at several you tube videos about all this.

Back for an edit: welcome to the forum.
Ok thanks for your input but honestly if you’re going to respond, please read the post in its entirety or at all for that matter. You seem to have missed the part I said when I took the drum off, “ALL THE PARTS FELL OUT”??? Yeah so instead of being condescending, read and then type and be nice, not everyone’s as awesome as you are.
PS I’ve had 7 89-93 fox bodies and plenty of old pickups all with drum brakes. My issue isn’t knowing how they work or how to rebuild them, it’s not having all the parts and not finding any info online. I’ve been told by every parts store near me that bar “only goes on the drivers side” that just doesn’t sound right to me hence the reason I reached out for info. So relax, I’ve done this before
 

OR VietVet

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I did not miss anything. I saw what you said about parts falling out. If you have the experience, then you know there is not just one bar/bracket but you asked and that leads me to believe your experience may not be there for the most important safety system on that vehicle. Perhaps sharing your experience up front would have helped. I agree though, you do not have to take any of my recommendations and carry on by yourself. Get a thicker skin too. I was worried about anyone traveling in a rig "IF" the person working on the brakes, again the most important safety system on any vehicle, may or may not have the needed experience. By the way, you are the one who joined the forum just to ask that question that anyone with YOUR experience should have already known the answer to. You said you were putting it back together, "WATCHING A VIDEO" after all.
 
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Serisdaddy

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Again it seems you missed information. Or maybe you think all drums are the same‍♂️ Anywho, I was watching a video because the parts weren’t there, they were on the ground and mangled and I wanted to make sure. Like I said, that piece wasn’t there so I have no idea if it’s the same as the left side or maybe it’s different, again it’s why I asked. But hope you feel better with your superiority in this subject that you really gave no information or help in.
 
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Serisdaddy

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There was no bar, there is nothing online about it. I bought one, it doesn’t fit. If you’re so smart please tell me what I’m missing. Everything online shows the left side. It makes no sense why your quick to tell me I shouldn’t do it if you have the answers. That’s what these forums are here for, people that are capable but just not positive and need help and guidance
 

OR VietVet

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I am out of this. You made it clear how you feel and I don't stick around where I am not wanted or my opinion is not wanted. Did not used to be that way but at almost 70 years old, I am actually mellowing with age. But I hold no grudge and will share this with you:




Take it from here and don't be so quick to judge or jump on someone. I qualified why I asked questions and made statements. You took it as a personal attack on your knowledge. I got no time for that stuff. You shouldn't either. Your frustration is obvious. It oozes out with your statements at me. That could also explain why I am the only member here that reached out.

Don't let this episode between us make a difference as to you staying on the forum. Lots of members here to help and is a great forum. Give it a chance.

By the way, I did see a bracket listed for the left side and no right side but was from Dorman and I wouldn't bolt a Dorman part on my rig unless there was a gun to my head.
 
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