Drum Brake Tools
Article by Mark Trotta
Today's mechanics replace disc brake pads and rotors regularly, but will rarely, if at all, work on drum brakes. Several specialty tools are required, not only to do the job right, but to do it safely.
Safety First
Years ago, I worked with a mechanic who lost his right eye replacing brake shoes. He wasn't wearing eye protection and a brake spring popped out.
Although 20 years has passed since that happened, I never forget to wear safety glasses every time I go near drum brakes. Gloves are a good idea, too.
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Brake Spring Pliers
Trying to use needle-nose pliers or vice-grips to remove and install brake springs is dangerous.
Brake spring pliers are a must-have tool when replacing shoes or wheel cylinders. They're a ten dollar tool.
And it's always nice to have a second use for a specialty tool:
Here it's helping install the adjuster spring on an old headlamp bucket.
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Brake Drum Adjuster Tool
These are also called brake spoons.
You could probably get away with using a flat-blade screwdriver, but brake spoons are curved to make it easier to get into the adjuster window. And they're less than $10.
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Brake Spring Compressor Tool
This is the tool to remove and install drum brake retainer springs. They are also known as a brake shoe hold-down tool.
An alternate way to compress and remove the springs is with needle nose pliers, but quite often the springs, particularly on older cars, can be stubborn to remove. Having the correct tool will give you the leverage to remove and install them easily.
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Brake Drum Puller
I'll admit it, I've pounded on brake drums with a hammer trying to get them to come off. This should only be a last resort technique, unless you're planning on replacing the drum anyway, since you may ruin the drum for re-use.
A correctly-sized brake drum puller is the best way to remove a stuck brake drum.
Pictured is an Astro Pneumatic 78830 brake drum puller, which includes three different hub adapters to fit all types of hub sizes. Arms spread up to 14" wide.
In addition to removing drums, these can also be used to remove hubs and brake rotors.
TIP: When trying to remove a stuck brake drum, remember to back off the self-adjusters, or they will continue to hold the shoes to the drum.
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Brake Tool Set
Most my tools were bought one at a time as needed, but it would have been cheaper if I'd bought them as a set.
Here's an all-inclusive drum brake tool set made by OTC and sold by Summit Racing.
A nice bonus when you buy a kit is that you get a storage case to keep them organized and secure.
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Brake Line Flaring Tool
Making your own brake lines requires a few more specialty tools, most importantly a flaring tool, of which there are three common types. All should come with several dies to accommodate different size lines.
The simple wing-nut style double flaring tool is the most common. It mounts in a vice and sells for about $30 to $50.
Read: How To Make Brake Lines
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Titan Flaring Tool
The Titan brake flaring tool allows you to repair brake lines while still on the vehicle, or the handle can be removed and can be mounted in a bench vise.
The downside of the Titan tool is that it's more expensive than the wing-nut type, and it only does one size (3/16"). If you need to make 1/4" brake lines you'll need to order #51515 flaring tool.
The Titan tool creates inverted 45-degree double flares without leaving crimp marks on the line. There is also a stop bolt that takes the guesswork out of measuring how much of line needs to stick out. It's easy to use and leaves little room for error.
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