brake drum adjustment

[screech985]

i need help, the other day i changed my rear brake shoes on my 04 aveo after the old ones fell apart while i was driving. the new shoes are on and my brakes seem to be spongy i have them adjusted so they just barley are scraping when i had the drum on and i have also bled the brakes and its still seems it needs more adjustment. i know that putting it in reverse and hitting the brakes is suppose to adjust them and ive been doing that with little success so far, does anyone have any ideas.

[moonrunner1972]

I had the same phenomenon with the friction lining on the brake shoes on my daughter's 04' Aveo. I had assumed it was a result of the failure of the wheel cylinder. Is this a systemic issue with these cars or just the poor quality of the brake manufacturer? I have worked in the automotive field intermittently since 1987 and have NEVER witnessed the linings come off.

[avguy]

Don't know if you noticed you're posting on a thread that's over 5 years old. All of the people on this thread are most likely long gone and won't be replying to your post.

This separated shoe lining happened to me on one of our Aveos. So with two of this same thing, it's certainly more than just an oddball fluke, but probably can't be called systemic without more history. But getting much more information very unlikely to happen here, because this forum is currently a very quiet place. There are very few active, regular members, and just a handful of us into DIY (along with a couple current or former pros). There have been a number of really good DIYers here in the past, and the archive has lots of helpful information. But most everyone these days just posts about problem once or twice and goes away, never to return.

You sound like someone with a lot to offer to a forum like this, and it would be nice to see you stick around. But I just wanted to give you a heads-up that you won't be seeing a big pile of replies to things that you post. And of course that's not unusual, because lots of these forums are just as sparse as this one, and some are even much worse. It's just the way it is.

[moonrunner1972]

Avguy,

Thanks for the compliment as well as the advice. While I am a Detroit muscle guy at heart, I enjoy fixing cars of all variety. Without question, I will find myself here on and off as I do my bit in keeping my daughter's 04' on the road.

[CheezeMan]

Hi All, I understand this is an old thread and I am the second to re-open after a long time...

Just wanted anyone to comment on the bleeding procedure stated above to start at the wheel furthest from the master and work your way to the closest.

I am getting ready to flush the entire brake system with clean new fluid. Each car has a special order, with some backwards from this method by starting at the closest and working to the furthest. Just wanted to know if anyone has access to the service manual for the '04 Aveo without ABS.

Thanks again!

Chuck

[petrified.rabbit]

While I have to say, I do not follow this, it follows the circuit of the dual master.. I just go around the system twice. Never try to get the job done in one "lap"

This also stated the you need to bleed the master first by pulling the lines off, and pressing the pedal once the reattach the lines. So I think as along as you have a systematic method that touches all based you will be fine.

[CheezeMan]

I haven't forgotten about this... however when I went to start, found that the rear bleeder screws were totally rusted. When I took off the dust caps, about half of the bleeder end came of in the form of rust. I surely expect that these are now seized. So am leaving that project until later. I may have to replace the cylinders and maybe the lines, so I want to take that project on as fully engaged rather than "this **** is easy" attitude.

I did go ahead and replace the rear shocks, the front struts and sway bar links. The rear shocks were totally rusted through and leaking. One looked more like a statue in the pond peeing because the fluid came out that way. Rust, Rust Rust everywhere. Good thing I am a very persistent cus... I won and the rust lost. Taking it in tomorrow for a wheel alignment.