I consider myself a pretty good shade tree mechanic. I have always done my own repairs, maintenance, etc. I have even done an engine swap on an Audi A4 Quatro in my garage. That was a job. But I digress...on to my point.

The rear drum brakes on these HHR's is a PITA! I have worked on drum brakes on all kinds of cars since the 70's but never have I encountered anything like these. Nearly 2 hours on a job that should have taken 30 minutes. I have to wonder who came up with this setup. I sure hope its another 115,000 miles before I have to do it again.

Thanks for giving me a place to vent...lol.

 

I sense you have the horseshoe springs, there is a tool for that but I agree with you PITA!

 

Horseshoe spring sounds right. Trying to get one side to hold while trying to get the other side done was tough. The parking brake cable/spring assembly kept falling out a lot easier than it was to hook back up.

 

Glad they worked out in the end.

And I pity the person that takes both sides apart at the same time, rather than doing them one-side at a time, so you can refer to the untouched side for reference when putting them back together. I started to make that mistake myself, then thought, oh no - this might get to be a problem.

Good thing they don't have to be too frequently. :)

 

When I did mine I had the forethought to read an instructive article and to have the tool in hand. Still a PITA, but after you see the correct way to use the tool, which is not obvious, it is easier.

The Universal spring is nothing new, many European cars have had them. You do know that the HHR is basically a European platform, right? It's a Saab for all practical purposes.

 

Saab is one I never had the pleasure to work on. I learned something new. I guess that is the up side. I learned a long time ago never to take both sides apart at the same time.
It is really a simple design. Just a little hard to execute.

 

my father taught me the one side at a time method, BUT ALSO said to MAKE A SKETCH if necessary

 

Does this depend on year or model? Luckily I have the 'conventional' type.
Sounds like a case of making a tool, maybe hooks/straps with a c-clamp/worm gear setup?

 

I took pictures just in case. Phones with cameras are a great tool for the garage.

 

At some point in 2009 they changed to the brakes with regular hold downs. Some 2009s and I think all 2010-2011 got the new old kind that us Amuricans are used to.

No need to make a tool the Medieval torture tool works fine.

Like this one
Or this J38400 $75 tool


But there is another version that does not have the cup for the hold down springs and has a different configuration of the mean looking ends, I can't find mine right now, that works better.