Essential Parts:
* Two Rear Brake Drums: These are the cylindrical housings that contain the brake shoes. Make sure you get the correct size for your vehicle.
* Two Sets of Rear Brake Shoes: These are the friction components that press against the drum to create braking force. They usually come as a pair, left and right for each wheel. Often, these are sold as a "shoe kit" that includes all the necessary hardware.
* Two Wheel Cylinders: These are small hydraulic cylinders that push the brake shoes against the drum. Replace these if they're leaking, damaged, or show signs of wear. It's best to replace them at the same time as the shoes for preventative maintenance.
* Two Brake Drum Hardware Kits (optional but recommended): These kits typically include the springs, clips, and pins that hold the brake shoes and adjusters in place. Replacing these worn parts will ensure correct operation and prevent future issues. It's almost always cheaper and easier to replace them all at once rather than individually if one breaks during disassembly.
* Brake Fluid: You'll need to add fresh brake fluid after bleeding the system. Use DOT 3 brake fluid, as recommended for your vehicle.
Optional but Recommended Parts:
* New E-brake Cables (if necessary): Inspect your emergency brake cables while you're working. Replace if they are frayed, corroded, or don't operate smoothly.
* New E-brake Adjusters: These mechanisms adjust the position of the brake shoes. If they are seized or worn, replacing them will improve your parking brake effectiveness.
* Grease: Use brake caliper grease on the contact points of the brake shoes and the wheel cylinder for smooth operation.
* Brake Cleaner: Essential for cleaning brake components before assembly to ensure a good bond.
Tools:
You'll also need a variety of tools, including wrenches, sockets, a drum puller (highly recommended to avoid damaging the drum), a C-clamp (helpful for compressing the wheel cylinder), and potentially a brake bleeding kit.
Important Note: Always consult a repair manual specific to your 1997 Pontiac Sunfire before starting the job. This will provide detailed instructions and diagrams to ensure proper installation and prevent mistakes. If you're not comfortable performing this repair yourself, take your car to a qualified mechanic. Brake systems are critical for safety.
