Preparing To Back Off Adjusting Screw; Backing Off Adjusting Screw; Disassembly; Inspection &D Cleaning - Pontiac Grand Prix Service Manual

STANDARD BRAKES 5-5
4. Check to make certain parking brake mechanism
and linkage are properly adjusted.
5.
Check fluid level in master cylinder. The level
should be within 1/4 inch from top of reservoir (Fig. 5
4).
6. Drive car alternately forward and backward, lightly
applying brakes in each direction to check for proper
operation.
DISASSEMBLY
1. Raise all four wheels off ground.
2. Remove front wheels, front hub and drum assem-
blies, rear wheels and rear drums.
NOTE: It may be necessary to back off the brake shoe
adjustment before the brake drums can be removed. To
back off shoe adjustment insert a small rod or
screwdriver through the adjusting screw slot in the
backing plate and hold automatic adjuster lever away
fiom adjusting screw star wheel and rotate adjusting
screw downward (Figs. 5-5 and 5-6).
3. Remove the primary and secondary shoe refurn
springs.
4. Remove the brake shoe hold-down springs, pins and
washers, and the adjuster lever and return spring (Fig.
5-8).
5. Spread shoes to clear wheel cylinder links, then remove
the primary and secondary shoes as an assembly. On
rear brakes spread shoes slightly and remove the parking
brake lever strut and spring, then disconnect the parking
brake cable from the operating lever.
CAUTION: Extreme care must be taken to prevent oil,
grease or brake fluid from getting on linings. Even oily
fingerprints on linings may affect the operation of
brakes.
6 . Remove the primary to secondary shoe spring and
the adjusting screw.
7. On rear brakes, remove the parking brake lever
from the secondary shoe.
SCREWDRIVER
Fig. 5-5 Preparing to Back Off Adjusting Screw
badly burned or worn nearly flush with rive'ts or if
linings show evidence of oil, grease or brake fluid' on
the surface.
2. Carefully pull wheel cylinder links out of the boots.
Excessive fluid at this point indicates leakage past
piston cups. A slight amount of fluid is nearly always
present and acts as lubricht for the piston, but if an
excessive amount of fluid is present, overhaul wheel
cylinder. See Hydraulic System.
3. Clean inner surfaces of brake backing plates and all
shoe contacting points. Sand shoe pads if necessary to
remove grooves.
4. Disassemble the adjusting screw assembly and
inspect as follows:
INSERT SMALL SCREW DRIVER OR AWL
THROUGH BACKING PLATE SLOT AND HOLD
ADJUSTER LEVER AWAY FROM
SPROCKET BEFORE BACKING OFF
BRAKE SHOE ADJUSTMENT
8. Remove the actuating links from the wheel cylinder
boots only if necessary (Fig.
5-8).
INSPECTION AND CLEANING
1. Inspect linings for wear or cracks. Clean brake
shoes, drums and backing plates, removing any foreign
particles that may have become imbedded in lining
surface. Examine shoes for loose rivets which must be
replaced. Install new shoes or reline if linings are
Fig. 5-6 Backing Off Adjusting Screw