hunt the wumpus
Brake shoe removal trick
And a better view of how the brake actuator works!
First, tap a flatblade screwdriver under the flanged retainer on the pivot post, and pry it off. Leave the one on the cam alone, the replacement brake pads only come with one replacement retainer!
Pull the actuator arm 90 degrees to force the pads apart. Jam appropriately sized junk from the parts bin between the pads to hold them apart. They won't clear the flanged retainer on the cam just yet, so now stick something that won't mar the cam surface between the actuator cam and a pad (I used a scrap of insulated electrical wire) and repeat. This time the pads will be further apart and will clear the retainer on the cam. Prop them open and lever them off of the pivot post with the nearest flatblade screwdriver.
I don't have a good trick for reassembly. You'll nearly have it, then the spring will fall out. Repeat until you accidentally succeed.
Brake shoe removal trick
And a better view of how the brake actuator works!
First, tap a flatblade screwdriver under the flanged retainer on the pivot post, and pry it off. Leave the one on the cam alone, the replacement brake pads only come with one replacement retainer!
Pull the actuator arm 90 degrees to force the pads apart. Jam appropriately sized junk from the parts bin between the pads to hold them apart. They won't clear the flanged retainer on the cam just yet, so now stick something that won't mar the cam surface between the actuator cam and a pad (I used a scrap of insulated electrical wire) and repeat. This time the pads will be further apart and will clear the retainer on the cam. Prop them open and lever them off of the pivot post with the nearest flatblade screwdriver.
I don't have a good trick for reassembly. You'll nearly have it, then the spring will fall out. Repeat until you accidentally succeed.