All About Brake Hardware

The hardware components attached to front brakes for supporting its other parts and for proper functioning of brakes with better performance is known as ‘Front brake hardware’. This brake hardware consists of several components which allows the brakes to actuate and retain for complete braking action. Normally, drum brake hardware is used at the front wheels.

Front Drum brake hardware generally consists of various components like:

• Return springs
• Links
• Hold down Springs
• Hold down Cup
• Hold down Pin
• Adjuster lever
• Adjuster assembly
• Adjusting cable

• Self-adjusting
• Optimum performance with low cost

1. Return springs - Return springs are also known as retaining springs. This spring work by returning the brake shoes to its existing position by contracting.
2. Links - Links are used to connect anchor pin to adjuster lever or at other components for connecting and relative movements of parts.
3. Hold down springs - It functions by holding the brake shoes against the back plate. Hold down cup is used to fasten the spring towards shoe and back plate.
4. Hold down pin - It passes through the brake shoe and back plate through hold down spring and is covered with hold down cup. It connects and holds the brake shoe and back plate together.
5. Adjuster lever and assembly - It is used along with adjuster assembly to adjust the brake shoes towards the drum at the right time when the brake lining wears out.

• When brakes are applied piston in the master cylinder pushes the brake shoes against the wheel drum.
• At the same time the return springs attached expands with the shoes. Thus, this action creates friction between drum and shoes and brings automobile to rest. When brakes are released then the springs retains or pulls back the shoes to its original position.
• While working, the brake adjuster makes sure that the brake liners are close to the drum as the liners wear down. It uses the screw mechanism to increase its length between the shoes.
• The brake lever is attached to this brake adjuster. The lever cog is pulled down by springs to push the shoes against the drum.
• By this action we get proper braking in drum brakes with the help of hardware.

There are some problems which occur in brake hardware which should be detected and solved at right time. Some of them are as follows:

1. Weak or broken return springs - In rare cases, the return spring can break. Sometimes, the spring can wear out which then doesn't help to retain the shoes from drum.
2. Self-adjuster mechanism not working properly - If the self-adjuster mechanism is improperly installed, the adjusting screw is stuck or the adjusting lever is not engaging with the adjuster wheel then the brakes will not self-adjust.
3. Hold down springs and pin get wear out - These Hold down springs and pin sometimes get corroded so we should replace it when brake job is done.

It is very important to know the symptoms of bad front brake hardware. So, let’s see some of the warnings or symptoms of bad brake hardware.

1. Loss Of Pedal Reserve - In this the brake pedal goes to the floor. If the adjuster is not working properly then it leads to a certain gap between brake liner and drum when liners wear out. This causes more force to be applied for braking and then the pedal goes down to the floor which causes loss of pedal reserve.
2. Brake Drags - This often occurs when there is a weak or broken return spring. If the spring is broken or become weak then it doesn’t help the shoe to return back to its original position. Thus, brake shoes do not move away from drum brakes are released which causes a brake drag.
3. Brakes Do Not Self-Adjust - This occurs if self-adjusting mechanism is not installed properly. Even this takes place when self-adjusting cable gets damaged or deformed.

Isn't it good if we can replace the brake hardware yourself? To do this we require some important tools to replace the drum brake hardware. Tools required are as follows:

• Ratchets
• Safety stands
• Screwdriver
• Vice grip
• Pliers
• Wrenches
• Replacement parts

When it comes to purchase a brake hardware kit, we know how important the hardware plays a role in functioning of brake for safety. So, we never compensate while buying a brake hardware. There are some top brands for front brake hardware which gives best and reliable hardware with long life. Some of them are:

Now, we got an idea of brake hardware let’s see some of the related parts of it:

• Front Disc Hardware Kits
• Front Caliper Bushing
• Front Drum Hardware Kits
• Front Retainer Clip
• Front Drag Reduction Clip
• Front Hold Down Pin
  

It is very important to inspect and replace front brake hardware whenever necessary or even while doing a brake service.

There are some simple steps by which we can replace the brake hardware they are as follows:

Step 1

• Set the ramp or car jack to car and lift it above the surface up to a certain height and remove the wheel nuts and then wheel. 

Step 2

• Remove brake drum from wheel hub. Hammer on both sides of the drum if it is tight to remove. Then spray brake cleaner to remove brake dust. 

Step 3

• Remove the return springs from anchor pin and from respective attachment by using a screwdriver and pliers. Replace the old with a new one. 

Step 4

• Then remove the self-adjuster screw and worn shoes and install the new shoes also the self-adjuster and adjusting cable if required. 

Step 5

• To remove the hold down spring use a specialised tool and rotate the spring, also press it from the back of plate then it will be removed, further remove hold down pin and replace both of it. Also, we can use a vice grip instead of specialised tool to remove Hold down springs. 

Steps 6

• Now, once we have replaced the hardware attach the brake drum to the hub and tighten it by bolt and apply some force by hammer to fix it and similarly as we remove wheel attach it again back to the hub.
• By following these simple steps, we can replace the front brake hardware and get the better braking performance with low investment.