How to Change the Rear Brakes on a Hyundai Elantra

Changing the rear brakes on your Hyundai Elantra is a relatively easy task. However, it requires careful attention to detail. In addition, you should consider servicing both rear tires at the same time; this will help you avoid brake pull every time you apply the brakes due to uneven part wear. Follow these simple steps to replace the brakes in a matter of minutes.

Park your Hyundai Elantra in a safe place with enough room for you to work around the rear of the vehicle. Loosen the wheel lugs on the rear tires. Raise the rear of the car with a floor jack and safely support it on jack stands. Remove the tires.

Pry the grease cup off the wheel hub, using a standard screwdriver. Remove the cotter pin and nut ring--if equipped--using a pair of nose pliers. Remove the nut from the axle stub using an axle socket and ratchet. Remove the wheel bearing and brake drum.

Remove the upper return spring from the brake assembly; then depress the small spring cups. Hold the brake shoes against the backing plate. Rotate them 90 degrees using slip joint pliers to release the center pins.

Disengage the brake shoes from the wheel cylinder on top. Be careful not to damage the rubber dust covers. Remove the lower return spring. Disengage the parking brake cable from the operating lever attached to the shoe facing the rear of the vehicle. Disengage the adjuster spring attached to the adjuster lever on the shoe facing the front of the vehicle. Remove the brake shoes and the center adjuster bolt from the vehicle.

Wipe clean the backing plate with a shop rag and brake parts cleaner. Apply a light coat of wheel bearing grease to the raised pads on the backing plate. Attach the operating lever to the new brake shoe with the larger lining on it. Connect the parking cable to the operating lever.

Install the adjuster level and spring to the other brake shoe and center both shoes with the adjuster bolt on the backing plate. Install the spring cups and pins to hold the shoes on the backing plate. Install the lower and upper return springs. If necessary, remove the other brake drum to guide yourself visually during this installation.

Install the new brake shoes on the opposite wheel, following Step 3 through Step 6. Install the rear brake drums. Apply wheel bearing grease to the wheel bearing and install. Tighten the axle nut and reinstall the grease cup.

Remove the rubber plug from the back of the backing plates and adjust the new shoes, using a star wheel tool. Insert the tool though the hole and turn the star wheel on the adjuster bolt. Turn the wheel manually at the same time until the shoes drag slightly against the drums. Install the rubber plug and tires.

Lower the vehicle and depress the brake pedal several times to make sure the new brakes are correctly adjusted.