The Chevy Cobalt comes equipped with rear drum brakes. These brakes work much differently than disc brakes. As you press on the brake pedal, the shoes expand and press against the inside of the brake drum. This pressure stops the rear wheels. Although drum brakes are not as efficient as disc brakes, they only perform 20 percent of the Cobalt's braking. Replacing drum brakes requires the use of a drum puller. If you do not own a drum puller, you can rent one from an auto parts store.
Raise the rear of the Cobalt with a jack and secure it on jack stands. Remove the lug nuts with a lug nut wrench then pull the rear wheels off of the Chevy.
Place a drum puller onto the brake drum and pull the drum off of the Cobalt's wheel hub.
Locate the metal pin mounted between the two brake shoes. Pull up on the springs with pliers and pull the springs off the metal pin. Unhook the other end of the two springs from the back of the brake shoe.
Remove the brake shoes from the wheel hub and place new shoes onto the brake hub.
Secure the springs to the back of the brake shoes and to the spring located between the brake shoes with a pair of pliers.
Mount the new brake drum onto the wheel hub and pound it onto the hub with a 5-pound sledgehammer.
Complete Steps 2 through 6 on the other rear brake.
Remount the Cobalt's wheels and screw on the lug nuts with the lug nut wrench. Raise the Cobalt off the jack stands, remove the stands then lower it to the ground with the jack.
