I'm trying to put the rear wheel back together (finally), but am stuck with the emergency brake's Brake Expander mechanism.

Its a Rubics cube to me. Does anyone have a diagram of how this piece is supposed to be installed? I'm finding it very difficult to just look at it and reassemble it.

There are some obvious parts - the slots that go over the bottom of the brake shoes; Where the brake cable wire attaches, I can even make out which of the 2 pieces goes on which side from wear marks on the hub assembly.

How these 2 items attach to each other, and to the hub - I'm stuck. BTW, the Jaguar manual "2003 on XK8 Workshop Manual" only has an exploded diagram. Not much help.

Any help you can provide I'd sure appreciate it.

THanks John

 

Wait - I just realized that Chilly Philly's PDF file has a photo of this item. I think I'm OK.

John

 

John,

Two things to note:

1. be sure to get the shoes the right way up - check on the diagram
2. back off the adjuster before trying to wrestle it back together

Graham

 

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...nstall-189458/

Someone else may search for this down the road, so in addition to Graham's comments above (and BTW, oh boy is he right - Killer if you try to wrestle it) let me add some notes.

1) See photo on page 21 of 41 in the PDF in the above link (Thanks ChillyPhilly). This visual will orient you best.

2) The ebrake shoes have notches, big (wide) notch goes on top to hole the adjuster; Small thin notch goes on the bottom to attach to this expander mechanism.

3) The mechanism has 2 pins; One thick one that holds the 2 bronze pieces together (piece #2 snaps in place with a little force). The Thin pin connects the wire to the mechanism.

Which way (orientation) does expander mechanism sit? Look at the bottom of the expander mechanism. On one of the 2 pieces there is a small square flat piece that will rest on the Hub's holder; On the other piece there is a larger rectangle footing. Take a look at the receiving end on the piece attached to the dust cover (this is the piece with the two large Torx Bolts holding it down). Years of using the car have imprinted the square footprint on one side, and the rectangle footprint on the other.

4) this mechanism folds onto itself, this places the wire pretty much in the center.

5) Don't laugh but try placing the expander mechanism in the shoes Before you connect the bottom spring. I connected the bottom spring first - whew there has to be a better way. Takes enormous pressure to spread the shoes at the bottom to place the mechanism in the notches with the spring in place.

6) The 2 hold down springs (1 each side center with the vertical spring) Use a Torx bit to control / turn it. Torx fits perfectly.

John

 

I attached the shoes to the backing plate first. Then added the tension springs after I got the adjuster and expander in position.

 

I'm reviving this thread because I'm having trouble re-assembling my parking brake hardware on one side. I had to remove the hardware on one side only and therefore I have never re-assembled the components before. Seems like Rothwell's idea of attaching the shoes first, then the adjuster and expander and then the springs last is the best way. What tool are you guys using to get the springs back into place (or do you use a long screwdriver)? It's been awhile since any brake shoe work for me.


Rob

 

Rob, it's been 2 yrs let me think... I use a tool designed for drum brakes. It has a curved hook on the end of one of it's long metal jaws. I just weave the hook into the spring's connection hook, place the other jaw against something solid and close the jaws with the handle to move the spring end into position. (Gotta love levers) a bit of wiggling and spring is hooked.

Hope I answered your question.

John

See hook top left?

 

Not sure which springs you are having trouble with. The long springs I think I just used a screwdriver. For the short retaining springs I used a special brake tool.

My DIY is detailed here. Has a pic of the special tool.

 

Thanks guys. It's the springs that hold the shoes TOGETHER, not the round springs that hold the shoes in place. Thanks John, I actually have that tool, but I must not be finding a good place to leverage. I have also tried a screwdriver, but it probably isn't long enough.

Rob

 

Crtfour,

Noted that you’re working on only one side. Might be worth checking out my “Annoying rattle” thread due to these drum brakes - link below.

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...brakes-213576/

 

Rob, no reason you can't use the contact area of the brake shoe itself. If lucky, one of the rivets will be in a perfect place.
John