I had the brakes inspected today, as I've been hearing a squeaking sound from the right rear brake when the brakes are cold.

I looked at the rear brake shoes, and the top and bottom of each shoe was "rough" while the middle of each was smooth.

What I'm puzzled about is the brake shoes are about four years old, and have at most 12K miles on them. The brand of shoe is Wagner. Do I have an abnormal wear issue? I'm not hard on my brakes, although I do mostly local driving, i.e. stop and go.


Rob

 

I'd hate guessing but did you check the "contact" points of the shoes to the backing plate? Each shoe should have two points where it contacts/rests against the backing plate.

A dab of silicone or some other brake lube there might solve the issue

 

Actually, I had the brakes inspected at Sears. I personally inspected the "rough" surfaces, but I didn't inquire about brake lube.

 

"Generally" a noise from brakes (pads or shoes) is from metal to metal contact. Meaning, don't worry with the material on the shoe. Look where the shoe "rides"/"rubs" the backing plate.

Sitting still in the am. Take the e-brake off. Press and release the breaks a few times, do you hear a "noise"?

If so, pull the drums. Remove the hold down clips and gently move the shoe(s) away from the backing plate. Lube the backing plate, I use a small dab of anti-seize, on the six contact points of the shoes (three for each shoe). Of course be sure not to get that stuff on the "material" of the shoe.

While you are there. It wouldn't hurt to adjust the shoes. Put the drum(s) back on, release the e-brake handle and use the "access plug" on the backing plate to adjust the "star wheel" so that there is a slight drag when you spin the drum. A brake spoon makes this easy but you can use a flat head screw driver, just be careful.

 

I'm not sure what to do here, as I'm not a diy guy. Should I go back to Sears and have them lube the brakes? I know they're going to tell me the brake shoes need replacing.

 

I would still take the car back to sears to see if they will adjust the rear brake and lubricate where the shoe touches the backing plate. If you have only 12K miles, then you have plenty of material left on the shoes.

There is an ericthecarguy video on youtube showing how to install, lubricate, and a adjust rear drum brakes on a honda. Since you too off the drum, you should be able to inspect the setup to see if something is out of place.