How to Replace Emergency Brakes in a Plymouth Neon

The emergency brakes on your vehicle were originally used to stop it when the regular brakes failed. However, the brakes on a Plymouth Neon now rarely fail, and the emergency brakes are more often used to keep the vehicle from moving while parked. The most common source of failure for emergency brakes occurs when they aren't used for a period of time, causing the brake cable to rust and seize.

Instructions

1

Determine which type of emergency brakes your Plymouth Neon will need. Emergency brakes typically function by activating the regular braking system on the driving wheels. The emergency brakes for the Plymouth Neon use disc brakes on the rear wheels.

2

Raise the vehicle so you can remove the wheel and tire assembly with a socket wrench. Disconnect the rear disc brake caliper and brake rotor as an assembly. Remove the dust cap, retaining nut and washer from the hub and bearing assembly with a socket wrench. Detach the hold-down clip for the rear brake hose with a pair of pliers.

3

Turn the adjuster wheel for the brake shoe until the adjuster is at its shortest length. Remove the parking brake shoe adjuster and the lower shoe-to-shoe spring.

4

Pull the rearward brake shoe assembly away from the anchor and remove the rearward brake shoe along with the upper shoe-to-shoe spring. Disconnect the hold-down clip for the forward brake shoe and remove the forward brake shoe assembly.

5

Install the new brake shoes for the rear disc brakes by reversing the removal procedure. Adjust the brake shoes to a diameter of 6.75 inches. Use a new hub and bearing retaining nut and tighten it to 160 foot pounds with a torque wrench.