🔧 Frontier - Rear Brake Shoe Replacement

Your Frontier uses rear drum brakes, so the rear friction material is called brake shoes, not pads. This job means removing the rear brake drums, replacing the shoes and hardware, adjusting the brakes, and testing the parking brake.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it with compressed air; use brake cleaner only.
• ⚠️ Support your Frontier with jack stands before working underneath or near the wheels.
• ⚠️ Work on one side at a time so the other side can be used as a reference.
• ⚠️ The parking brake must be fully released before removing the rear drums.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the brake drum is removed.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 21mm lug nut socket
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Flathead screwdriver
• Brake spring pliers (specialty)
• Brake hold-down spring tool (specialty)
• Needle-nose pliers
• Rubber mallet
• Brake adjuster spoon (specialty)
• Brake cleaner
• Drip pan
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Dust mask

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake shoe set - Qty: 1
• Rear drum brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• High-temperature brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 2 cans

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Frontier on level ground.
• Put the transmission in Park for automatic, or 1st gear for manual.
• Release the parking brake completely.
• Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• A brake drum is the round metal housing that covers the rear brake shoes.
• A brake shoe is the curved friction part that presses outward against the drum to stop the truck.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each rear lug nut about half a turn.
• Do this while the tires are still on the ground so the wheels do not spin.
• Loosen only, do not remove yet.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear of the Truck

• Use a floor jack to lift the rear of your Frontier at the rear axle housing area.
• Place jack stands under solid rear axle support points.
• Lower the truck gently onto the jack stands.
• Keep the floor jack lightly touching the axle as a backup support.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat on the ground.

Step 4: Remove the Brake Drum

• Make sure the parking brake is fully released.
• Pull the brake drum straight off by hand.
• If the drum is stuck, tap around the outer edge with a rubber mallet.
• If the drum still will not come off, use a flathead screwdriver or brake adjuster spoon through the backing plate access slot to back off the adjuster slightly.
• The adjuster is a small threaded wheel that spreads the shoes outward as they wear.
• Do not pry hard on the backing plate.

Step 5: Inspect Before Disassembly

• Use safety glasses, dust mask, and nitrile gloves.
• Place a drip pan under the brake assembly.
• Spray the brake assembly with brake cleaner to control dust.
• Take a clear photo before removing anything.
• Look for brake fluid around the wheel cylinder at the top. If it is wet, the wheel cylinder should be replaced before installing new shoes.

Step 6: Remove the Return Springs

• Use brake spring pliers to remove the upper return springs.
• Return springs are the strong springs that pull the brake shoes back inward after braking.
• Remove the lower spring with brake spring pliers or needle-nose pliers.
• Springs are under tension; wear eye protection.

Step 7: Remove the Hold-Down Springs

• Use a brake hold-down spring tool to press and twist each hold-down spring retainer.
• A hold-down spring keeps each brake shoe pinned flat against the backing plate.
• Remove the spring, retainer, and pin from each shoe.

Step 8: Remove the Brake Shoes and Adjuster

• Use needle-nose pliers to disconnect the parking brake lever from the rear shoe as needed.
• Remove both brake shoes, the adjuster, and remaining small hardware.
• Keep the left and right adjuster parts organized so they go back on the correct side.

Step 9: Clean and Lubricate Contact Points

• Use brake cleaner to clean the backing plate, adjuster, and reusable metal parts.
• Use nitrile gloves to keep grease off the brake shoe friction surface.
• Apply a tiny amount of high-temperature brake lubricant to the raised pads on the backing plate where the shoes touch.
• Do not put lubricant on the shoe lining or inside the drum.
• A pea-sized amount is enough.

Step 10: Install the New Brake Shoes

• Install the new rear brake shoes in the same position as the originals.
• Use the photo you took as a guide.
• Use the brake hold-down spring tool to install the hold-down pins, springs, and retainers.
• Reconnect the parking brake lever using needle-nose pliers.

Step 11: Install the Adjuster and Springs

• Install the adjuster between the lower ends of the shoes.
• Use brake spring pliers to install the lower spring.
• Use brake spring pliers to install the upper return springs.
• Make sure each spring is fully seated in its hole.

Step 12: Pre-Adjust the Brake Shoes

• Use a brake adjuster spoon or flathead screwdriver to turn the adjuster wheel.
• Expand the shoes a little at a time until the drum just slides on.
• The drum should rotate by hand with a light, even drag.
• If the drum will not fit, back the adjuster off slightly.

Step 13: Repeat on the Other Side

• Move to the opposite rear brake assembly.
• Use the completed side as your reference.
• Repeat the same process with the brake spring pliers, brake hold-down spring tool, needle-nose pliers, and brake adjuster spoon.

Step 14: Reinstall the Wheels

• Install the rear wheels by hand.
• Start all lug nuts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 15: Lower and Torque the Wheels

• Use the floor jack to lift the rear slightly.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Frontier until the tires touch the ground.
• Use a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 21mm lug nut socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 133 Nm (98 ft-lbs)

Step 16: Seat the Brake Shoes

• Press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Set and release the parking brake several times to help the self-adjuster settle.
• If the pedal feels very low, recheck rear shoe adjustment before driving.

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✅ After Repair

• Start with a slow test drive in a safe area.
• Make several gentle stops from low speed.
• Confirm the parking brake holds your Frontier on a mild incline.
• Listen for scraping, grinding, or clicking noises.
• After the test drive, carefully check for excessive heat or burning smell from either rear drum.
• Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles: Torque to 133 Nm (98 ft-lbs)

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $300-$550 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $70-$180 (parts only)

You Save: $230-$370 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

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