Abstract: This invention relates to a vehicle drum brake assembly adapted to selectively frictionally engage a brake drum. The drum brake assembly includes a backing plate supported relative to a vehicle component and having at least three openings formed therethrough, at least one brake shoe supported on the backing plate for selective movement into frictional engagement with the brake drum, and a brake mechanism for selectively moving the brake shoe into frictional engagement with the brake drum. The drum brake assembly includes a pair of fasteners extending through two of the three openings provided in the backing plate to secure the backing plate to a fixed, non-rotatable component of the vehicle.

Abstract: This invention related to a multi-layered damped anchor shim adapted for use in a drum brake assembly. The anchor shim includes an inner surface and an outer surface which is adapted to contact the second ends of the brake shoes. The anchor shim includes a damping material applied to the inner surface thereof so as to be disposed between adjacent contacting areas of the outer surface of the inner retainer plate and the inner surface of the anchor shim to thereby reduce the transmission of noise from the brake shoes through the abutment assembly to the backing plate.

Abstract: An improved drum brake assembly having at least one damped brake shoe support device secured to an associated backing plate which is effective to reduce brake noise during actuation of the drum brake assembly. The drum brake assembly includes a backing plate supported relative to a vehicle component, at least one brake shoe supported on the backing plate for selective movement into frictional engagement with a brake drum, a brake mechanism for selectively moving the brake shoe into frictional engagement with the brake drum, and at least one damped brake shoe support device carried by the backing plate. The damped brake shoe support device includes a first member and a second member. The first member is formed of a relatively rigid material and includes a first end which defines a sliding surface for engagement with an adjacent surface of a brake shoe sliding surface. The second member is formed of a damping material and is interposed between the first end of the first member and the backing plate.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved structure for a piston assembly adapted for use in a wheel cylinder of a drum brake assembly, the drum brake assembly having a pair of brake shoes which are adapted to be urged into frictional engagement with a brake drum. The piston assembly includes a piston body formed from a first material, and a piston cover formed from a second material and integrally molded in situ with the piston body. The piston cover includes an end wall defining an abutment surface which is adapted to engage an upper end of the brake shoe during brake actuation. The piston cover further includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced projections extending from the end wall of the piston cover into the piston body and integrally molded and embedded within the piston body. Each of the projections of the piston cover defines first and second side edges which are in contact with the piston body to thereby assist in securing the piston cover to the piston body.