How to change rear brake shoes on a 2004 chevy venture

did you bleed your brakes?

Parking brake lever on leading shoe (end of retractor spring in its hole on the leading shoe). Make sure the the adjuster screw assembly is engaged properly with the leading shoe (also, engaged with the parking brake lever). Adjuster actuator installed on the trailing shoe (also, engaged with the adjuster screw assembly). After inserting the retractor spring in its hole on the trailing shoe, insert actuator spring in its hole (just below wheel cylinder) in leading shoe and stretch across and connect it to the adjuster actuator. Adjust star wheel to get shoes close to drum. Reinstall drum (shoes close with no rub). Reinstall wheel. Push brake pedal for final adjustment. Test forward. Test Backwards. If everything is in the correct place, nothing should pop off. I hope you have a before picture. Haynes manual has good pictures. I own a 2002 Pontiac Montana, but a family member has taken it out of town. My info is from the Haynes manual. I replaced the brake shoes a couple years ago.

After you remove the tire, the drim should slide off. If it doesn't then try using a rubber mallet and gently tap on the outside edge as you pull on it. Sometimes you also need to tap on the drum in the center part. I have sprayed penetrating lubes like WD-40 or PB Blaster into the seam at the center. You may also have to back off the parking brake cable or even use the adjuster to back off the shoes.

Did you adjust the rear shoes out? If the rear drum brakes are out of adjustment they will give you a lot of pedal travel. If the pads are worn have no fear of that U-CLIP brake spring, just change one shoe at a time. Take the spring off one side, change the shoe, put the spring back on the post and do the same to the other shoe, no problem.

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.

This car has regular shoes on the back not disc. Replace shoes and adjust cable. No parking brake is a sign of worn out shoes. Regals have rear disc on them for this year.

Removal Procedure Tools RequiredJ 38400
Caution: Keep fingers away from rear brake shoe springs to prevent fingers from being pinched between spring and shoe web or spring and backing plate.

1. Remove the brake drum. Refer to Brake Drum Replacement



Notice: Do not over stretch the adjuster spring. Damage can occur if the spring is over stretched.

2. Use the J 38400 in order remove the adjuster spring (1). Disengage the adjuster spring loop from the tab on the adjuster actuator.
2.1. Remove the loop end of the adjuster spring from the adjuster actuator. 2.2. Remove the straight end of the adjuster spring from the secondary brake shoe.



3. Use the J 38400 in order to spread the brake shoes apart.
4. Remove the adjuster.

Installation Procedure

1. Use the J 38400 in order to spread the brake shoes apart.



Important: Ensure that the adjuster (2) engages the brake shoes (4 and 5), the park brake actuator (3), and the adjuster actuator (1) properly.

2. Install the adjuster.



Notice: Do not over stretch the adjuster spring. Damage can occur if the spring is over stretched.

3. Install the adjuster spring (1).
3.1. Install the straight end of the adjuster spring into the secondary brake shoe. 3.2. Install the loop end of the adjuster spring to the adjuster actuator.
4. Install the brake drum.

If it's like my 2000 you have to place the clip in the lower holder first, then put the shoes on and put the clip in the shoe holes. The front-facing shoe has to get clipped first, since you'll need use a short pry bar to fit the clip in the back shoe and there's much more clearance for that one.

Once that's done then you can put the hardware on the top, finishing with the spring.

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions section.
2. Remove the rear wheels.
3. Remove the drums.
4. Remove the automatic adjuster spring and lever.
5. Remove the hold-down clips and pins.
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.
8. Remove the lower shoe to shoe spring.
9. With the shoes held together by the upper shoe to shoe spring, remove them from the backing plate. Kelsey Hayes rear brake assembly (left side shown) Exploded view of the drum brake assembly—2004 model shown

GOODLUCK, shoes for this car ~ 15 bucks at auto zone.