How to do a rear brake assembly - 1992 Chevrolet Beretta

This depends on which cable is hanging down. There are several cables in the assembly. One cable comes from the parking brake assembly under the Drivers' dash. It joins the rear cable assembly that goes to each rear wheel. Some cars have 2 separate rear wheel cables and others have a Y assembly that has to be replaced as 1 part.

There can be an adjustment rod where the front cable meets the rear assembly. Some of the parking brake reels under the dash are suppose to reel in extra slack.

Often if the rear Emergency brakes are worn out, there will be slack in the assembly.

the attached is a photos of drum brake assembly for your references.
Usually try not to used second hand parts and remanufactured parts, it may be a risk for you.
Based on safty consideration, we supply all kinds of quality new brake parts. feel free to contact us if any interest.
Regards

Removal
1.Remove rear wheel and tire assembly from vehicle.

2.Remove rear brake drums from hub and bearing assemblies after loosening the two brake drum screws.

3.Be sure that the parking brake pedal is in the release(most upward) position.

4.Completely loosen square nut of the rear parking brake cable. Then create slack in the rear parking brake cables.

5.Remove adjuster spring from adjust lever and brake shoe.

6.Remove adjust lever and turn the adjusting wheel of adjuster assembly to the direction of the arrow as shown.

7.Remove the strut spring and the lower retracting spring from the brake shoe.

8.Remove the upper return spring from the brake shoe.

9.Remove brake back plate hold down spring and pin from the leading brake shoe assembly.

10.Remove the leading brake shoe. Then remove the adjuster assembly, strut and anchor spring from the trailing brake shoe.

11.Remove the trailing brake shoe from the brake back plate after removing hold down spring and pin.

12.Remove the trailing brake shoe from the rear parking cable.

13.Remove parking pivot lever from the leading brake shoe.

Replacement
1.Lubricate the eight shoe contact areas on the back plate and anchor.

2.Install the trailing brake shoe to the rear parking cable.

3.Install trailing brake shoe on brake back plate and install the trailing brake shoe hold down spring and pin on the brake shoe.

4.Tighten the square nut of rear parking cable.

5.Install the anchor spring then install adjuster assembly, and strut.

6.Install leading brake shoe on brake back plate.

7.Install the brake shoe upper return spring, strut spring and the lower retracting spring to the brake shoe.

8.Properly rotate the adjusting wheel of adjuster assembly to the direction of the arrow in as shown.

9.Install the adjuster spring on the adjust lever and leading brake shoe assembly.

10.Install the leading brake shoe hold down spring and pin on the brake shoe.

11.Adjust brake shoes assemblies so as not to interfere with brake drum installation.

12.Install the rear brake drums on the hubs.

13.Check and adjust whether the pedal stroke in the specification.(Refer to section BR Gr./On-vehicle service/Pedal stroke of parking brake)

14.Install wheel and tire.

15.Push the parking brake pedal to the floor once and release pedal. This will automatically remove the slack from and correctly adjust the parking brake cables.

16.Test the vehiche on the road. The adjust will continue the brake adjustment during the road test of vehicle.

Inspection
1.Inspect the disassembled parts for wear, rust or damage.

2.Measure the thickness of brake shoe lining.
Standard : 0.17 in (4.5 mm)
Minimum : 0.04 in (1 mm)

3.If the shoe lining is less than minimum or shows signs of uneven wear, replace new one.

4.Measure the inside diameter of the brake drum.
Standard : 10 in (254 mm)
Maximum : 10.07 in (256 mm)

5.If the inside diameter of the brake drum is more than maximum or shows signs of uneven wear, replace new one.

6.Inspect the lining and drum for proper contact. If the contact condition is improper, repair it with a grinder or replace the brake shoe assembly.

if your talking about the part that every thing is assembled on to its called a spindle

First of all check the brake light fuse on the fuse box marked brake/rear lights.
Please use the voltmeter range in your multimeter to check for the voltage on your rear light assembly while the brake pedal is kicked. If there is supply then the lamp is faulty , the ground to the lamp assembly is faulty. remove the assembly and check holder of lamp .
If there is no voltage then the brake fluid pressure switch is faulty or there is break on the wire to the switch or to the rear assembly.

If the following is not enough then maybe try Alldata.com which generally has more information, but it will cost: REMOVAL & INSTALLATION Chrysler Concorde, New Yorker, LHS Dodge Intrepid Eagle Vision

1. Remove the rear wheels and brake drums.
2. Remove the dust cap from the rear hub and bearing assembly.
3. Remove the cotter pin, nut retainer and wave washer. Discard the old cotter pin.
4. Remove the rear hub and bearing assembly retainer nut and washer. Remove the rear hub and bearing assembly from the spindle.
5. Remove the automatic adjuster spring from the adjuster lever.
6. Rotate the automatic adjuster starwheel enough so both shoes move out far enough to be free of the wheel cylinder boots.
7. Disconnect the parking brake cable from the actuating lever. Disconnect parking brake cable one side at a time.
8. Remove the both lower brake shoe to anchor springs.
9. Remove the 2 brake shoe hold-down springs from the brake shoes.
10. Remove the brake shoes, upper shoe-to-shoe return spring, automatic adjuster and automatic adjuster lever from the backing plate as an assembly.
11. Separate the brake shoes from the automatic adjuster mechanism.
12. Remove the brake shoe automatic adjuster lever from the leading brake shoe. To install:
    
13. Thoroughly clean and dry the backing plate. To prepare the backing plate, lubricate the bosses, anchor pin and parking brake actuating lever pivot surface lightly with lithium based grease.
14. Remove, clean and dry all parts still on the old shoes. Lubricate the starwheel shaft threads with anti-seize lubricant.
15. Assemble both brake shoes, the top shoe to shoe return spring, automatic adjuster and automatic adjuster lever before mounting on vehicle. Make sure the ends of the automatic adjusters are positioned above the extruded pins in the webbing of the brake shoes prior to installation.
16. Install the brake shoe assembly onto the brake support plate and install the hold-down springs.
17. Install the lower anchor springs and reconnect the parking brake cable to the park brake lever of the trailing brake shoe.
18. Rotate the serrated adjuster nut to remove the free-play from the adjuster assembly.
19. Install the automatic adjuster lever spring on the lead brake shoe assembly and the automatic adjuster lever.
20. Install the rear hub and bearing assembly. Install washer and retainer nut and torque to 124 ft. lbs. (168 Nm).
21. Install the wave washer, nut retainer and a new cotter pin onto the spindle. Install dust cap.
22. Adjust brake shoes so not to interfere with brake drum installation. Install the rear brake drum. NOTE: After installing the brake drums, pump the brake pedal several times to partially adjust the brake shoes. To verify proper operation of the self-adjusting parking brake, be sure that both rear brakes are not dragging when the parking brake pedal is released.
    
23. Install the rear wheels and lug nuts. Torque the lug nuts, in a star pattern sequence, to 95 ft. lbs. (129 Nm).
24. Road test the vehicle. The automatic adjusters will continue brake adjustment during the road test of the vehicle.

Removal & Installation To Remove:

1. Before servicing the vehicle refer to the precautions at the beginning of this section
2. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel and tire assemblies but do not remove the lug nuts
3. Raise and support the vehicle
4. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Wheel and tire assemblies
   • Axle lubricant into a suitable container
   • Rear driveshaft
   • Parking brake cable
   • Brake calipers
   • Shock absorbers from the axle brackets
   • Vent hose from the rear axle vent fitting
   • Nuts and the washers from the U-bolts
   • U-bolts, spring plates and spacers from the axle assembly
5. Lower the axle assembly from the vehicle

To Install:

1. Place the rear axle assembly under the vehicle
2. Align the rear axle assembly with the springs then connect the spacers, spring plates and the U-bolts to the rear axle
3. Raise the rear axle assembly into position
4. Install or connect the following:
   • Washers and nuts to the U-bolts; Torque to: 59 lb-ft. (80 Nm) then, Torque to: 89 lb-ft. (120 Nm)
   • Vent hose to the rear axle vent fitting
   • Shock absorbers to the rear axle
   • Brake calipers (See: Brake Caliper)
   • Parking brake cable (See: Parking Brake Cable)
   • Rear driveshaft (See: Rear Driveshaft)
   Wheel lug nut tightening sequence
   
   
5. Fill the rear axle with lubricant
6. Bleed the brake system (See: Brake Bleeding)
7. Install the wheel and tire assemblies
8. Lower the vehicle to the ground
9. Torque lug nuts as follows:
   • Single Wheel: Torque to: 140 lb-ft. (190 Nm)
   • Dual Wheel: Torque to: 175 lb-ft. (240 Nm)
10. Road test the vehicle to check performance

don't have topaz. maybe escort will help guide you.

Section 04-02: Suspension and Wheel Hubs, Rear 1996 Escort, Tracer Workshop Manual
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Wheel Bearing and Hub Assembly NOTE: Wheel bearings are not serviceable and should therefore be replaced as an assembly with the wheel hub (1104).

Removal

1. Raise and support the vehicle.
   

1. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
   

1. Remove the hub grease cap (1131) from the wheel hub.
   

1. If equipped with disc brakes, remove the rear disc brake caliper (2552) and rear disc brake rotor (2C026). Refer to Section 06-04 for the removal procedure.
   

1. If equipped with drum brakes, remove the two brake drum screws and the brake drum (1126).
   

1. Unstake the rear axle wheel hub retainer (4B477) securing the wheel hub to the rear wheel spindle (4A013). Remove and discard the rear axle wheel hub retainer.
   
2. Remove the wheel hub from the rear wheel spindle.

Brake Shoes Removal & Installation To Remove:

1. Raise and safely support rear of vehicle.
2. Remove rear wheel assemblies.
3. Release parking brake.
4. Remove brake drum.

Rear brake shoe assembly

1. Using an appropriate brake spring tool, unhook upper return spring from rearward brake shoe.
2. Push retainer springs IN and turn to remove tension pins.
3. Lower brake shoe assembly and remove lower return spring.
4. Remove brake shoe assembly from back plate.
5. Disconnect parking brake cable from lever and remove brake shoe.
6. Remove parking brake lever from brake shoe.

To Install:

1. Install parking brake lever to rearward brake shoe.
2. Secure lever to brake show with a NEW U-clip.
3. Pinch U-clip closed.
4. Connect parking brake cable to rearward brake shoe.
5. Install self-adjuster lever spring on front brake shoe.
6. Assemble clevises, adjuster bolt and upper and lower return springs.
7. Apply a light coat of grease (Molykote 44MA or equivalent) to sliding surfaces.
8. Install brake shoe assembly onto back plate.
9. Install tension springs.
10. Using an appropriate brake spring tool, unhook upper return spring to rearward brake shoe.
11. Install brake drum.
12. Install rear wheel assembly.
13. Lower vehicle.
14. Adjust self-adjusting brakes by pressing brake pedal several times.

since the new pads are alot thicker than the old ones,the brake needs to be set properly.
something is not right for sure.
the retainer for the park brake cable may be not in the right spot.there is two places it can fit.