Lazlo123

Sometimes, when coming to a stop, when i'm just about stopped i hear this weird kinda crick crick crick noise coming from somewhere in the back... It doesn't do it if i just apply the brake while driving, just when i'm almost stopped... any ideas?

its a 2000 dx by the way...

Thanks for the help!

chiefmg

I had a similar noise once on another car that had drum brakes. Turned out one of the drum attaching screws had backed out and was moving around inside the wheel. If you can identify which side it is coming from, remove that wheel and check those drum screws. Good luck.

Lazlo123

Please excuse my ignorance in this department... but what is a drum screw? Is it a, i'll know it if i see it kinda thing?

chiefmg

When you remove your rear wheel, you will be looking at the brake drum. There are two big Phillips head screws holding the drum in place, you can't miss them. The heads are countersunk into the drum so they are flush.

As a note, if you ever want to remove the drums, make sure you have a large Phillips head screwdriver so you don't strip out the heads. I have found it also helps to place the screwdriver into the slots and hit it with a hammer a few times first to help break the screw loose. And don't forget to release the parking brake, otherwise you will be cussing a blue streak trying to get the drum off!

Lazlo123

Thank you!

mitchman

Normally the correct method is to use an "impact screwdriver". It's a unique tool that looks like a short/fat screw driver. You put the screwdriver in the screw and hit the screwdriver with a hammer. It's got a mechanism inside that twists when you hit it. You can set it to tighten or loosen screws. It works really well for removing rusted brake drum screws. You don't have to worry about stripping the screw head because you're hitting it with a hammer which drives the bit into the screw. Does that make sense?

Don't by the one from Harbor Frieght, it doesn't work at all! I went for one from Sears. I think it was about $15 and it works like a champ!

chiefmg

Good call mitchman. I haven't ever bothered to get an impact screwdriver, one of those oversights I need to correct.

mitchman

I like tools!

Lazlo123

Thanks for the tips