pstar

I have a 2009 but apparently the 2010 brake shoe/hardware. It's diferent than the You tube vidoes I've seen. It doesn't have that long U shaped 10" rod that goes along the bottom. I took it apart and there is no way I can get the top and bottom springs back on. I don't have any specialized tools. I've done many brake shoe jobs on other cars but the tension on these two springs are incredible. I'm stuck. I have the shoes held on by the two springs which are anchored by the pins through the dust plate and have the emergency cable on. Am I missing something or are there decent instructions out there? Can I drive the car a few miles like this to a shop, it's only one wheel? I never thougt I'd be defeated by a brake shoe job but it appears I am. Thx..

donbrew

They did a mid-year change to the, in my opinion easier, American design.

They are exactly the same as most American cars.

Check your PM, the file is too big to post.

Oldblue

The new (old style) retaining springs started in 2009 on the HHR's the spring is pressed into the shoe against the backing plate and the pin is turned 90 degrees to engage the lock head.

pstar

I installed the lower spring and pin/cap springs, the pads on on but there is no way I can stretch that top spring open. I tore one of the wheel cylinder dust boots The tire spins with a little drag, perfect adjustment actually. I'm going to the shop to have them do it. Thanks for the link, It's what I figured. I've done timing belt swaps and removed an entire dash to replace a heater cor but I'm whipped on this, sad but true.

pstar

PS...I'm going to hang some weights on that spring to see how much it takes to stretch it 1". That should be interesting.

donbrew

If you looked at the link you would find the correct order to put it together, it is easy if you do it the way they want you to. I know, I tried to do it my way then looked at the directions and 10 minutes later......

They did leave out the part about rotating the leading shoe outward while attaching the spring. Which is the reason for putting the hold downs on after that spring.

pstar

Well, I got it but not the way the instructions advise. When i followd the instructions, both shoes caved outward without the backing plate springs installed. I installed the rear shoe backing plate spring to hold it and then to install the adjusting mechanism I had to use a tire iron to spread the shoes open. Btw, my fishing scale showed 50 lbs of force to only stretch that top spring 3/4" The iratating thing about this is there is only a mm or two wear on the oem shoes. I should have just done a clean and adjustment and left it alone. That's what I'm doing with the other side. Thanks for the help.

whopper

Not sure what new shoes you picked up, but ideally the shoes on both sides should match, otherwise they can work unevenly.