I need to replace the parking break shoes on a 2002 TJ sedan as they are no longer serviceable due to years of abuse from my wife. I have a copy of the Mitsubishi manual and I understand the removal sequence.

I need help in freeing the unbolted hub from the knuckle.

There is what looks like a metal grease cap on the inside of the knuckle that is not shown on any of the diagrams in the manual. ( Rear Axle, Service Brake or Parking brake) I made a tentative attempt to lever the cap off, as on some front hubs and trailer axles, but it didn't want to budge. I know the ABS rotor must be on the inner end of the the rear axle stub so I didn't want to go like a bull at a gate.

I'd appreciate any advice.

I need to replace the parking break shoes on a 2002 TJ sedan as they are no longer serviceable due to years of abuse from my wife. I have a copy of the Mitsubishi manual and I understand the removal sequence.

I need help in freeing the unbolted hub from the knuckle.

There is what looks like a metal grease cap on the inside of the knuckle that is not shown on any of the diagrams in the manual. ( Rear Axle, Service Brake or Parking brake) I made a tentative attempt to lever the cap off, as on some front hubs and trailer axles, but it didn't want to budge. I know the ABS rotor must be on the inner end of the the rear axle stub so I didn't want to go like a bull at a gate.

I'd appreciate any advice.

I just did the hubs on my Galant which is similar but the handbrake setup is slightly different. I know what your talking about when you say there's a cover although mine did not have this and the ABS rotor was exposed so I got mine out by gently tapping the axle shaft portion that protruded past the ABS rotor.

This may sound radical and hopefully i don't get bagged for it but what if you carefully spray a little penetrating oil where the flange bolts up to the knuckle, then grab the disc rotor but flip it around the wrong way slip it onto the studs, put say 3 wheel nuts on to keep it square but only finger tight just in case it does not seat properly and avoid damaging anything . Use the rotor for leverage and try and wiggle it free or maybe a soft mallet striking the rotor at 3,6,9 & 12 O'clock positions?

Make sure the ABS sensor is removed so it does not get damaged. I'm not sure if they're a tapered fit but ingress of moisture etc has probably rusted it on a little. Mine was.

I'm unsure as to why you're tyring to remove the hub just to replace the parking shoe?

Are you saying that the handbrake shoe is so worn that it needs replacing or is the handbrake itself stuffed?

Handbrake shoe can only be removed with the hub removed

To do this, remove the 4 bolts, use a slid hammer attached to a chain attached to 2 of the studs

Thanks everybody for the rapid replies.

I was thinking of tapping the axle shaft if I could safely expose it but the slide hammer definately sounds like the way to go.

The help is much appreciated.

So once the hub is off, and the new shoes are on, how do you get the hub back on - so it doesn't come adrift while driving?

So once the hub is off, and the new shoes are on, how do you get the hub back on - so it doesn't come adrift while driving?

Prob the same way Mits, did, you tighten up the 4 bolts and it slides onto the axle.....

Prob the same way Mits, did, you tighten up the 4 bolts and it slides onto the axle.....

Yes, right! Such a n00b question, I have never needed to do this job. lol Handbrake shoes seem to last forever.