Need help with replacing shoes in drum brakes.

[cello2119]

Hey I have an 85 318i and need to change the shoes on the drums. I've watched Eric the car guys video on changing them but I've never done this myself before so was looking for any advice or help on how to change them.

[Andy.B]

They aren't hard to do, but if you haven't done them before, I would recommend only taking one side apart at a time, so you have the other side for reference. Drum brakes are really a learned skill. The first time is often a frustrating struggle, but doing it a few times you'll learn the magic touch. I usually pull the drum and blast everything with a heavy dose of brake clean spray to clean it off as much as possible before diving in. Make sure you use a new hardware kit, and use brake lube. Also, make sure all your new parts match your old parts before you take it apart. I have often received new brake hardware kits with missing/improper parts. Also, get your drums turned or replace them. It's not worth putting new shoes and hardware in with out of round drums.

I would seriously consider swapping to disc brakes instead. If you can find the parts used locally, it honestly wouldn't be much harder than the drum brake job, and would yield you better results.

[glnr13]

i've done this twice on my 84. the second time around was much easier but it's still a bit of a pain. the adjustment screw is key.

[cello2119]

They aren't hard to do, but if you haven't done them before, I would recommend only taking one side apart at a time, so you have the other side for reference. Drum brakes are really a learned skill. The first time is often a frustrating struggle, but doing it a few times you'll learn the magic touch. I usually pull the drum and blast everything with a heavy dose of brake clean spray to clean it off as much as possible before diving in. Make sure you use a new hardware kit, and use brake lube. Also, make sure all your new parts match your old parts before you take it apart. I have often received new brake hardware kits with missing/improper parts. Also, get your drums turned or replace them. It's not worth putting new shoes and hardware in with out of round drums.

I would seriously consider swapping to disc brakes instead. If you can find the parts used locally, it honestly wouldn't be much harder than the drum brake job, and would yield you better results.

Thanks for the help man, yeah I was really considering doing a disk brake conversion but since my e30 is my first car I thought I would start with a few simpler mechanical processes before attempting it.

[cello2119]

i've done this twice on my 84. the second time around was much easier but it's still a bit of a pain. the adjustment screw is key.

Have ever changed the master cylinder? One of mine are brand new and I think I'll change the other when I'm changing the shoes because it'll all be open anyway. Is it difficult or fairly straight foward?

[glnr13]

the only master cylinder i've ever changed was on 1962 oldsmobile but i can't imagine it being very different. a little messy but pretty straight forward.

[cello2119]

the only master cylinder i've ever changed was on 1962 oldsmobile but i can't imagine it being very different. a little messy but pretty straight forward.

Thanks man