nope not leaky...
I climbed under there and everything is dusty...lol...

going to change breaks soon as I can snag jack stands from my hubby...
cleaning/changing fuses...
maybe clean connections...

<img border="0" alt="[Chicken]" title="" src="graemlins/chicken.gif" /> see if I can run some little test <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" />

changed front break pads...

did it all myself except breaking the lugs loose,
and compress the thingy(another technical term) in the center.
If I had a c-clamp I could have done it no problem!
had to call in the big guy...

heh...if I were bigger it would have been very easy!!...

but he wants to get me a new tool so I can get the lugs myself next time or if I ever get a flat!

humm...new tool OK!
makes it worth admitting you're too little to do something.

ok so cant deny it when you have an x wrench
on the lugs one foot and both hands
stomping and pulling and the things don't budge...

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

did it fix the ABS light....heh..of course not
that would be too easy!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

ok...heh...I know I'm probably getting anoying...lol

BUT...
any important advice before I try to tackle the rear drum brake shoes???? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" />

they look way more complicated then the front disc breaks... <img border="0" alt="[Chicken]" title="" src="graemlins/chicken.gif" />

Yea...are you sure the rear brake shoes are worn out? They last a LONG time. In fact, I dunno how long they last. I had my rear drums off somewhere around 90K miles and they looked brand new.

Just pull the drums and look before assuming they are worn out. You may be surprized. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

And no, you aren't getting annoying. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

<small>[ June 30, 2003, 07:23 PM: Message edited by: Axe Man ]</small>

dont know if they really need to be replaced
but if I'm going to have it open, going to change them anyhow...

this way I know when everything was serviced...

changed out all my corroded fuses in the engine compartment fuse box...

didnt fix the abs light...

however...wow kia is much zippier!

running out of simple things to fix...

if tinkering with the break shoes doesnt fix it... will have to start thinking sencors <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" />
and try to do this little self diagnosis test thingy.

Axe- you should check the operation of your rear brakes. I've never heard of pads "looking new" at 90,000 miles. Sounds like they may be out of adjustment or the proportioning valve may not be set up right.

In addition to pad thickness, it is important to inspect the pads to make sure the material has not "crystalized" or hardened (from heat) into a low-friction material. You'll also want to inspect the drum for wear and damage.

This "inspection" should be done regularly for safety's sake.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by NoMo:
<strong>Axe- you should check the operation of your rear brakes. I've never heard of pads "looking new" at 90,000 miles. Sounds like they may be out of adjustment or the proportioning valve may not be set up right.

In addition to pad thickness, it is important to inspect the pads to make sure the material has not "crystalized" or hardened (from heat) into a low-friction material. You'll also want to inspect the drum for wear and damage.

This "inspection" should be done regularly for safety's sake.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">They were inspected. Professionally. And when I said they "looked like new" perhaps I was overstating a bit. There was SOME wear. And that's not unusual for a vehicle to have the rear brakes last significantly longer than the front. The front brakes always take the brunt of the braking effort.

And I think if we polled some of the over 100K club and asked them if they ever had to change the rear shoes I think the answer might be no.

Anyone? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />

Thanks for the bit of clarification. Just want to make sure your brakes are working properly. They are kind of important. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

It's definitely not unusual for the rear pads to out-last the fronts. Most proportioning valves are set to around 65/35 (%front/%rear) fluid distribution. But I've seen bad valves and clogged lines that caused almost all of the braking to be done by the front. It's difficult to notice this under daily driving conditions.

Also, with my ever-so-slight aggressive driving style <img border="0" alt="[Pirate]" title="" src="graemlins/bppirate.gif" /> I've crystalized a few relatively new pads. With used vehicles, I think it's especially important to check everything and not just assume that pad thickness means that everything is "OK". Who knows? It might be my old car you've just bought! <img border="0" alt="[Drunk]" title="" src="graemlins/drunk.gif" />

I checked my rear brakes about a month ago, and they did infact look brand new. As a matter of fact they have looked brand new for about 3 years now. I dont think they have been changed since I bought the Sortage in the begining of 99 (leftover).Thay have no ware at all.

So I ask you, How do I adjust the rear brakes. I know they need to be adjusted because when I start to drive in reverse or in forward I can hear them slap something (other metal). It dont doo it while I'm driving or when I stop, just when I start to move.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by tlabonte2001:
<strong>I checked my rear brakes about a month ago, and they did infact look brand new. As a matter of fact they have looked brand new for about 3 years now. I dont think they have been changed since I bought the Sortage in the begining of 99 (leftover).Thay have no ware at all.

So I ask you, How do I adjust the rear brakes. I know they need to be adjusted because when I start to drive in reverse or in forward I can hear them slap something (other metal). It dont doo it while I'm driving or when I stop, just when I start to move.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">They are self adjusting brakes when you back up. Under normal circumstances they don't have to be adjusted manually.

One good indicator if they are working OK: If your parking brake holds and it's not all the way to the top of it's throw then you should be OK.