I wanna change the shoes on my Golf as they've started to squeak, but I have a few questions as I've never even seen inside a brake drum before.

What do i actually need to change, is it just the brake shoe set? Like this one? http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Volkswagen_Golf_1.6_1989/p/car-parts/brakes/brake-friction/brake-shoes/?102440088&1&0d5205519934bf68da8704216d015191fdd88b36&000043

Is it worth/how hard is it to change the wheel bearing on the rears at the same time? They seem quite similar to the Polo's in this respect. or at least fairly similar to my 6n. Suspension set up is more or less the same.

Or do I need the fitting kit, as per these links?

http://www.gsfcarparts.com/631vg0110

http://www.gsfcarparts.com/625vg0090

Worth getting a fitting kit for the money, if you don't, you can guarantee a crucial clip or spring will run away.

Get one of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-Brake-Shoe-Spring-Hook-Tool-Brake-Tools-Quality-Work-Tools-VS0351-/351224542939?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item51c69d36db

and one of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pagid-Brake-Spring-Hook-Tool-/331380884731?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4d27d704fb

as well, yeah, you can do it without, but they make the job so much easier.

Stretched on budget til the end of the month so if I get the shoes and fitting kit from GSF (they have 35% off this weekend) I should be relatively good to go?

How about the wheel bearings? Easy to do? I've got a slight rotational clunk on low speed braking so I think it may be time for those too. Wanna get them all sorted before the Social!

http://www.gsfcarparts.com/412vg0040

or

http://www.gsfcarparts.com/413vg0151

Edited 13 June, 201511 yr by mbusby993

If the drums are like the Polos then this is the correct bearing kit.

http://www.gsfcarparts.com/413vg0151

They are easy to do, the bearings themselves will come out by hand and the races for both will tap out with a hammer and punch. Then a suitable size socket will do fine to tap the new ones in. Just make sure the socket isn't small enough to accidently go in at an angle and damage the race.

I hate working on drums, but with the right tools as shown the job is a lot easier.

I'll get one of the bearing kits as well then. I'll only get the one as only one is making any noise (I think it's the bearing anyway) and I'm tight.

Are both the tools necessary? They both sound as if they do the same job? and again... I'm tight. I've already ordered the shoes and fitting kit.

I would go with the first one, you can do the job without, it just makes it a hell of lot easier to pull the springs into place :)

If you do it without, then be prepared for sore fingers and warn your neighbours that you will be swearing more than Gordon Ramsay.

Just thinking about working on drums makes me angry. I'd rather shell out and convert to discs haha.

That said, a mate of mine bought a set of shoes from TPS and they came ready built up.

The first tools the essential one for stretching the return springs on, the second one is for putting the caps on the retaining pins, you can do it easy enough with a pair of grips.

I've always got by in the past with molegrips of various sizes & a large screwdriver to act as a lever but that "hook" tool makes it so much easier

My mole grips broke, around about the same time the angle grinder came out on my toe rods. I'll pick up the first one then?

In the long run I'd like to do a disc conversion..

If you are referring to a squeak when you press the brake pedal or pull up the hand brake whilst stationary, the problem is not with worn linings (although it is still a good plan to check them), but it is due to lack of lubrication between the shoes and the point at which they contact the brake back-plate.

As the brakes rely on friction, obviously you don't want to 'kill them with kindness' by over-lubricating, but they do need just a smear of Coppergrease® at each contact point.

As you are not familiar with the working of drum brakes, I would recommend that you: (1) deal with one side at a time, so that you have the other side to refer to. (2) Take some photographs once you have got the drum off. (3) If possible, read the appropriate section of the Haynes Manual before you start work.

Regards

... and get a can of brake cleaner and wear a mask and maybe gloves - even though they'll tear within seconds - inhaling brake dust is bad for you.

If you are referring to a squeak when you press the brake pedal or pull up the hand brake whilst stationary, the problem is not with worn linings (although it is still a good plan to check them), but it is due to lack of lubrication between the shoes and the point at which they contact the brake back-plate.

As the brakes rely on friction, obviously you don't want to 'kill them with kindness' by over-lubricating, but they do need just a smear of Coppergrease® at each contact point.

As you are not familiar with the working of drum brakes, I would recommend that you: (1) deal with one side at a time, so that you have the other side to refer to. (2) Take some photographs once you have got the drum off. (3) If possible, read the appropriate section of the Haynes Manual before you start work.

Regards

Got the shoes anyway, I reckon they're probably as overdue as the discs. I've got some Copper grease so will do that as well after fitting?

I tend to take photo's as I go for reference anyway, and I have both the Haynes and the Bentley manual. :) I think the shoes must be worn, as the handbrake is cruddy and the brakes don't sound fantastic.

Thanks. :)

... and get a can of brake cleaner and wear a mask and maybe gloves - even though they'll tear within seconds - inhaling brake dust is bad for you.

Probably got some brake cleaner kicking around, got both of the latter!

Rather than lubricate AFTER fitting the shoes, it is much easier to apply a smear to the back-plate contact areas (the raised parts that contact the shoe) - another smear on the shoe pivots and in the piston slot that the shoes fit into on the wheel cylinders - The auto adjusters and the hand brake moving parts all need lightly anointing too.

Regards

I imagine I'd have realised while removing that that would make more sense. :)

Hoping to get these done on Friday. Want all the brakes sorted before the Social. I forgot to order the tool though. ><