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DYI Brake shoes

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 12:24 pm
by peterman
How hard of a job is this? I have done pads and other jobs but never shoes. I have also never taken the rear tire off. What would you suggest I do?

thanks

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 1:19 pm
by Gummiente
Buy a service manual for your bike, it will detail all the procedures to replace the brake shoes. They're not hard to replace, but there are a few more steps involved than when replacing brake pads. The wheel has to be removed to access the shoes, so make sure you have a good bike lift.

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2005 10:51 pm
by TechTMW
Rear Brake shoes are usually very slow to die.

BEFORE YOU BUY NEW SHOES I suggest you take the wheel off and measure the remaining material on the old shoes. I bet you they're still servicable.

Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:28 am
by peterman
I have no bike lift so I am SOL there. I know the brakes suck because they are really close to useless. I often have my toe pointing at the ground when using the rear brakes. Also when I had it in the shop they told me they were shot. I believe the shop to be pretty honest. The biggest issue for me in no money. The shoes are $30 bucks but the labor will cost me a couple of hours for a total of $120. And although its not a ton of money things are pretty tight right now. So I was thinking if it were something that could be done with a few tips and patience I was going to try and tackle it to put that extra money saved for Christmas gifts.

I am still looking for a shop manual for it on ebay but I might have to have one ordered for $50.

Thanks

Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:36 am
by 9000white
what kind of bike is it?????????
i am sure somebody on this forum has done one just like yours if we only knew what it is.

Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 10:13 am
by peterman
sorry, its a 1983 Yamaha xs400k (Maxim)

Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 10:58 am
by 9000white
go to--http://yamaha-factoryparts.com/

click on yamaha parts
find your year and model
when index comes up on right side go to rear wheel
you will see everything that is in there.
all that stuff dont come apart to change brakes.
look at part #34. that rod comes loose by taking the nut off part#35.
loosen chain adjusters and move wheel to front to remove chain from sprocket
unscrew nut from axle bolt and remove bolt.
remove wheel.the backing plate for the brake shoes will come out with the wheel.remove it and install new brake shoes.

Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 3:55 pm
by mydlyfkryzis
Maybe yhis is a moot point, but did you try adjusting the brake rod?

Usually when the rear brake shoes are worn, the brakes don'r release well.

Worth a shot, anyway...

Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2005 4:18 pm
by 9000white
if it has a center stand you aint gonna need a lift.

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2005 12:21 pm
by peterman
I do have a center stand and looking at the schematic helps a lot. Thanks.

I do have another problem now so I will address that before the brake shoes.