A productive day at the shop. I finally assembled the left front brake. Truth be told I do enjoy drum brakes. They seem easier to work on for me than discs. I follow Uncle Tony’s Garage on You Tube @UncleTonysGarage. He has a video on assembling drum brake components on the bench then attaching them to the backing plate. For a car or 1/2 ton truck this works and I use this method…except. On bigger brakes it is difficult. So on my 3/4 ton Dana 44 HD brakes I use a slightly different method.

This is the left side. The self adjuster is on the right. I place the locating pin and spring on the right brake shoe. This will hold it up physically but allow some wiggle room. Keep in mind no part is attached with bolts. This brake shoe rides as it sits with all the other parts. Place the top spring on then install the adjuster. This will be easy as no tension is on this shoe.

Repeat on the left side the same way except start at the bottom. Keep going clockwise. The bottom adjustment pieces can be a little difficult at times. Be careful and patient. The parts are also side specific so pay attention to the markings. There are several tools made for these jobs. Buy them as you feel you would like to try them. Depending on the models and age of the brakes you may find them easier or harder than needle nose pliers and a big flat screwdriver.