🔧 Rear Drum Brakes - Shoe Replacement

Your Sentra S does not use rear rotors. The rear brake setup is drum-style, so the service is rear brake shoes, hardware, and drum inspection/replacement if needed. This job is more involved than front brakes because the parking brake parts are inside the drum assembly.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Work on a level surface and chock the front wheels.
• Use jack stands; do not rely on the jack alone.
• Rear drum brake springs are under tension. Keep your hands clear when removing hardware.
• Brake dust can be harmful. Wear a dust mask and do not blow dust out with compressed air.
• If the parking brake is stuck or out of adjustment, release it fully before starting.
• No battery disconnect is required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated for vehicle weight)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm lug wrench
• Ratchet
• 10mm socket
• 14mm socket
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Brake spoon (specialty)
• Needle-nose pliers
• Brake spring tool (specialty)
• Torque wrench
• Bungee cord
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Brake cleaner
• Wire brush

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake shoe set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Rear brake drums - Qty: 2
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1
• High-temperature brake grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground.
• Put the transmission in gear and set the parking brake before lifting. Release the parking brake only after the car is safely on stands.
• Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting.
• If the drum is stuck, the parking brake may need to be fully backed off at the adjuster.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the rear of the car

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear of the car at the proper center lift point.
• Place jack stands under the rear support points and lower the car onto them.
• Remove both rear wheels with the 19mm lug wrench.

Step 2: Remove the brake drum

• Try pulling the drum straight off by hand.
• If it is stuck, use a flat-blade screwdriver through the access slot to back off the shoe adjuster.
• If needed, tap the drum gently with a rubber mallet until it loosens.
• Do not force it hard.

Step 3: Inspect the drum brake parts

• Use a wire brush and brake cleaner to clean the backing plate area.
• Check the shoes, springs, wheel cylinder, and adjuster for leaks, rust, or uneven wear.
• If the drum is deeply grooved, replace it.

Step 4: Remove the old brake shoes and hardware

• Use needle-nose pliers and a brake spring tool (specialty) to remove the return springs and hold-down hardware.
• Remove the adjuster assembly and parking brake lever from the old shoe set.
• Keep track of the spring and lever positions as you remove them.
• Take a photo before removing parts.

Step 5: Install the new brake shoes

• Transfer the parking brake lever to the new shoe if required.
• Apply a light coat of high-temperature brake grease to the shoe contact points on the backing plate.
• Install the new shoes using the same orientation as the originals.
• Reinstall the springs and hardware from the rear brake hardware kit with the brake spring tool (specialty).

Step 6: Reinstall and set the adjuster

• Install the adjuster assembly between the shoes using the needle-nose pliers.
• Make sure the adjuster is on the correct side for left and right.
• Set the adjuster close to the original length so the drum will slide on.
• Left and right sides are mirrored.

Step 7: Install the drum

• Slide the drum on by hand.
• If it will not fit, back off the adjuster slightly with the brake spoon (specialty).
• Once installed, rotate the drum by hand. It should turn with light drag.

Step 8: Repeat on the other side

• Repeat the same process on the other rear brake.
• Replace parts in pairs so braking stays even.

Step 9: Reinstall wheels and torque

• Install the wheels and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
• Lower the car and use the torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Press the brake pedal several times before moving the car.
• Check that the parking brake holds the car securely.
• Test drive slowly and listen for scraping or clicking.
• Recheck lug nut torque after the first drive.
• If the pedal feels low, the shoes may need adjustment.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$500 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $90-$220 (parts only)

You Save: $160-$280 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-4 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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