going to replace the rear drum brakes on my 06 siverado 1500 and i see that it is the single spring kind with the horse shoe spring. i have 100,000 miles on her, should i change the springs with the pads or just the pads.ive never done this type of drum brake before is it easer or harder then the conventional drum brake?

 

It's not these?

BrakeBest® H2336 - Drum Brake Hardware Kit | O'Reilly Auto Parts

Can you post a picture?

 

Drums on a 2006 Silverado? Wow!

My 2004 has discs on the rear brakes, and it is 2wd. I thought they all had discs all around.

 

i think i heard they went back to drum brakes, or maybe disc's were an option for that year. i found a spring kit,i might try to tackle the job tomarrow.i got a 100,000 miles out of the rear brakes, they still seem to be working fine. i replaced the front pads around 75,000, i didn't need it but i already bought the pads and the the wheel was off so i installed them.i hope i can do this without much problem, i'am getting old and arthritic but i don't like other people work on my vehicals, if it's yours you pay more attention to getting right.

 

you don't need to replace the springs. you may want the special spring tool to change the shoes. It can be done without one but you will need 2 pry bars and a vise grip...and some safety glasses.


most 1500's that don't have tow options have gone back to drum brakes. The enclosed drum is better for brake life and requires less maintenance especially if you live in the rust belt. you won't see rear disc brake pads lasting 130 000km. but if you tow...rear disc are better.

 

I also own a 2002 Nissan Sentra - which I bought new in the end of 2001. I have 151,000 miles on it and have NEVER yet had to replace the rear (drum) brake shoes. Additionally, I don't get dust on the rear wheels from the pads.


I guess there is a trade-off with everything, eh?


P.S. My neighbor has a 2006 Silverado 4x4 with the Z-71 package and he has drums on his. Wow!

 

I see there's two different tool's for that, one is like a puller that you attach to the hub the other is a long tee handle thing that you pry the spring off and on, anyone know which works better.

 

post a pic of the 2 you have seen. this type will do both the large and small single spring types

 

I ordered the tool,i should get it this week.i understand it's a bitch getting the emergency cable connected on this style brake.

 

not if you release the rear cables from the middle cable.