Rear brake shoe lining check (Every 6000 miles or 6 months)

1 Due to the fact that the rear brake drums are combined with the hubs, which makes removal of the drums more complicated than is the case with detachable drums, inspection of the shoe linings can be carried out at the specified intervals by prising out the small inspection plug from the brake backplate and observing the linings through the hole using a mirror (see illustrations).

17.1a Brake shoe viewing hole location (arrowed) in backplate
17.1a Brake shoe viewing hole location (arrowed) in backplate

17.1b Checking rear brake lining wear with a mirror
17.1b Checking rear brake lining wear with a mirror

2 A minimum thickness of friction material must always be observed on the shoes. If it is worn down to this level, renew the shoes.

3 Do not attempt to re-line shoes yourself but always obtain factory re-lined shoes.

4 Renew the shoes in an axle set (four shoes), even if only one is worn to the minimum.

    See also:

    Heating and ventilation system - description
    The heater is of the type which utilises waste heat from the engine coolant. The coolant is pumped through the matrix in the heater casing where air, force-fed by a duplex radial fan, disperses th ...

    Throttle cable - removal, refitting and adjustment
    Removal 1 Disconnect the battery negative lead. 2 Working inside the vehicle, remove the lower facia panel from the driver’s side. 3 Prise off the securing clip and disconnect the end of the thro ...

    Inlet manifold - removal and refitting
    Caution: Refer to the precautions in Section 1 before proceeding. Note: A tachometer and an exhaust gas analyser will be required to check the idle mixture on completion. A new gasket must be us ...