Which tool?

The tool that helps out during removal/installation of the spring. You will have to look through to find your particular application.

tools for Chebbies

it looks like the only thing holding the spring in place is that one bolt and then it should just come out.

I found this on an AR15 forum of all things?

http://contentinfo.autozone.com/znet...01.jpg/1.image

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rooDs_KyLUk&playnext=1&list=PLACB00D5A5940D65B&feature=results_video

ding, chevy venture van uses the same rear drums. This should be very helpful

Make sure that it's unloaded before disassembly...

Turn the adjuster all the way in or you will never get the drum over the new shoes.

I have done a few drum brake jobs, not really that hard. Most Mercedes have them for the parking brake...

Ahhh yes! Good ol' Chevy pricing! :)

The little round metal thing to the far right in the graphic for 'brake hold down spring kit' is pushed in with the tool, then it's turned, and it realeases from the 'brake hold down pin' on the other side of the brake, to the left in the graphic.

The tool:

http://www.ntxtools.com/Merchant/gra...1/otc-4591.gif

This spring holds the shoes firm against the back stop steel, whatever that's called.

Darn, I returned that tool because it looked like it wasn't going to be needed.

Remember, "Short shoe forward"
Also remember that each side is a mirror image of the other --emergency brake hardware always pulls the same way. Pay attention to the direction of the E. Brake connecting link ( if there is one)-the slots are different.
Don't mix adjusters--one side has left hand threads---if you reverse them ( side to side) the automatic adjusters will loosen them rather than tighten them. Another reason to do only one side at a time.

The pad with the e brake bracket is held on with a non regular cotter pin. So I think I will just re use the pads since they are fine.

I am a bit hung up on removing the wheel hub. I removed the 4 bolts and hoped it would just pull off but nope its on their tight. Its FWD so there are no axles or anything to have to use a hub puller on to pop it off. ... hammer solved that issue. now having a fun time getting the adjuster back on

(I have the parts laid out and put together how they should be so to not screw it up. one side at a time)

A vice grip can be used in place of the pictured tool. Hold the pin from behind with one hand compress the spring with the washer gripped at the end of the vice grip and once thru the slot, turn it.

drums are pretty easy - I did them quite a no. of times, getting the parking brake cable clipped is an upward battle sometimes and so is the retainng pins system.

Otherwise its pretty simple, be sure to use some sealant on the back of the cylinder before mounting to the backing plate so it becomes moisture tight, you dont want it corroding off from salt, dirt and other nasties.

And as the saying goes - one wheel at a time and be sure the auto adjuster is correctly installed and working.

Go to YOUTUBE.COM

Search for -> EricThe CarGuy

He has a good video on rear drum brakes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCpCkun2qxA

I actually found a video by 1aauto.com that covered the shoes for a chevy venture van and the brakes were exactly the same as the malibu. Good job chevy! It's actually the 3rd or 4th video from 1aauto.com I've used, very useful place for domestic stuff.

Anyways it took me about an hour to figure out the passenger side and then 15 minutes for the driver side. The shoes are adjusted so that the drum doesn't have play and spins with some resistance. Brake lines are reattached and now I just need to bleed the brake system. I wish I had a power bleeder at this point but my room mate is home to do it the old school way.

Fill the master, loosen the cap, crack the bleeder screws and let gravity bleed the system for you. God didn't give us gravity for nothing.