Pontiac Repair: 2001 Pontiac Montana back brake repair, pontiac montana, drum brakes

Question
2001 Pontiac Montana, makes a loud thumping sound when I step my brakes. It sounds like it's coming from the back drum brakes.  what can I do before I take it in to a shop.

Answer
Hey Oli:

You can't really do too much to those your self. I assume this is a front wheel drive van not an AWD? FWD had drum brakes in the rear and they have a few issues. #1 no one ever has them adjusted which should be done every 6,000 miles. That set up in the rear if it gets a build up of brake dust inside the drums they make all kinds of noise. Also if the van has high mileage the rear wheel cylinder have a tendency of leaking fluid out onto the shoes and then you have issues with noise and the brakes grabbing. So other than just taking the drums off and looking at the brakes and cleaning the dust off all the parts there really isn't much you can do . You need a special tool to service the springs in the assembly. If it is an AWD van then the rear has disc brakes and the noise could be from the brake rotors being rotted. Hope that helps...