Some time this summer I plan to service my rear brakes for the first time in the cars life, surprisingly they still seem to work well, but I have had all the parts, including new OE cast iron drums (ACDELCO Part # 177436), brake adjusting spring kit (ACDELCO Part # 1791232), and a hardware kit (ACDELCO Part # 18K609), and 2 new wheel cylinders (ACDELCO Part # 1721539).
For the brake shoes I went with ACDelco 171-675 Brake Shoes, yeah I like my AC Delco parts.

I also have some Castrol GT LMA Synthetic brake fluid for the flush/bleeding.

I have not purchased any brake tools, I considered trying to use pliers, and a screwdriver, but would it be worth it to get something like this brake drum multi tool kit?
7 Piece Brake Tool Set

I'll try to get some pics whenever I do the job, depends on how dirty my hands get as to whether or not I am willing to handle my camera.
It will be the fist time I have actually did a drum brake job, so I am posting this thread to get any tips, or suggestions for when I tackle the job.
I will get pics before removing anything, just for reference, and I do have the info from my AllData manual on doing the job, I know the manual bleeding sequence is RR-LR-RF-LF, I won't be doing a pressure bleed, so they will be done one at a time in that order.

Like I said, any tips, and or suggestions are appreciated.

Those are not the tools you will need....this is what you will need....makes the job much easier....

What this tool does is pull and hold that single spring away from the shoes for easy removal......without it, you may have a hard time fighting that spring on reassembly.......

In my opinion, the 2 biggest PITA'* are getting the new retention spring locked down on the backing plate, and getting the adjuster installed properly. I dont see any tools in this thread so far that I think will help with either. I have gone without before, and don't see any reason to do otherwise.

Totally forgot that I bought that tool, I have it in my box of stuff to use when I do the job, shows how long ago I bought the stuff, and put off doing it.
The tool I have says Lisle Single-Spring Brake Tool For GM - 50600

So nothing in that 7 Piece Brake Kit will do what you are talking about?

What about something like this?

Also, are you saying it will be tough, but I should be able to do it without whatever tool you are talking about?

Oh man, I hate that horseshoe spring. This is where even I recommend getting that special tool.

Glad I already have it then, I forgot I bought it back when I bought the stuff to do the brakes, it was Winter at the time, so I put it off.
I have the exact tool Gus posted a picture off, had it sitting in the box my drums came in so I forgot about it, lol

my bonnie has 200k on the original rear brake stuff, which is amazing to me because my wife drives it like its a race car. every couple years i have put some never-seize on the adjuster and snugged it up. and i put never seize on the bleeders, had to replace all the lines a few years ago.

Seems the rear brakes don't take the brunt of the force when stopping, I have replaced my front pads a few times, but the rear brake shoes/drums have 135k on them, I never thought to remove the drum and put anti-seize on the adjuster, and the bleeders when I do the drums, but in the future I may start occasionally doing so, thank you for those tips.
I just hope that while doing the job I won't have to do the brake lines any time soon.

Still unsure when I'll get around to doing this, I guess I could pull the drums and inspect the shoes for any meat left.
I have been waiting to have the money to pick up a new floor jack, my last jack started leaking fluid so I got rid of it, not sure if they are easy to fix when that happens, but it was old, so I just threw it away.
I could use the jack that came with the car, then put it on my jack stands, but I hate using that old jack..