Change Back Brake Shoes on a 1999 Saturn SC1

Worn or damaged brake shoes are a safety hazard if not replaced immediately. Worn or damaged shoes will leave most the braking to the front brakes which are often unable to properly handle the total weight of the vehicle when stopping. On a 1999 Saturn SC1, the brake shoes on the back of the vehicle can be changed quickly by most backyard mechanics with a few simple tools. It is helpful to do one side at a time, using the complete assembly as a guide when installing the other side
Procedure:
1. Raise the rear of the vehicle with an automotive jack and support it with jack stands.
2. Remove the lug nuts with a socket wrench and pull the wheel from the wheel studs.
3. Pull the front of the brake drum assembly from the assembly.
4. Remove the adjuster spring, the dark-colored spring near the top of the drum assembly, from the front and rear brake shoes with needle-nose pliers.
5. Remove the front brake shoe hold-down spring and detach the upper return spring with needle-nose pliers.
6. Unscrew and remove the washer on top of the front brake shoe with a socket wrench and retaining pin, pulling the pin from the rear of the backing plate.
7. Pull the front brake shoe from the backing plate.
8. Disengage the adjuster lever and upper return spring from the rear braking shoe with needle-nose pliers and remove them from the backing plate.
9. Remove the rear brake shoe hold-down spring with needle-nose pliers.
10. Unscrew and remove the washer on top of the rear brake shoe with a socket wrench and retaining pin, pulling the pin from the rear of the backing plate.
11. Pull the rear brake shoe slightly away from the backing plate to access the parking brake cable. Detach the plug on the end of the cable from the parking brake lever on the brake shoe with needle-nose pliers.
12. Detach the parking brake lever from the rear brake shoe, removing the c-clip and washer with a screwdriver.
13. Place the parking brake lever on the new rear brake shoe, installing the c-clip and washer to hold the lever to the shoe.
14. Apply high-temperature grease to the six raised contact points on the inside of the backing plate.
15. Pull the end of the parking brake cable to access the plug at the end of the cable and attach it to the plug on the end of the parking brake lever in the rear brake shoe.
16. Place the rear brake shoe into the backing plate and install the rear brake shoe retaining pin through the rear of the backing plate. Install the washer on top of the brake shoe with a socket wrench and attach the rear brake shoe hold-down spring with needle-nose pliers.
17. Attach the adjuster lever and upper return spring from the rear braking shoe with needle-nose pliers.
18. Place the front brake shoe into the backing plate and install the rear brake shoe retaining pin through the rear of the backing plate. Install the washer on top of the brake shoe with a socket wrench and attach the front brake shoe hold-down spring and the upper return spring with needle-nose pliers.
19. Attach the adjuster lever and upper return spring to the front braking shoe with needle-nose pliers.
20. Place the wheel on the wheel studs and install the lug nuts with a torque wrench, tightening them to 100 foot-lbs.
21. Repeats Steps 2 through 21 to replace the brake shoes on the other side of the vehicle.
22. Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle with the automotive jack.