Hi, I recently decided to replace my rear drum brakes on my 97 Civic EX after having a wheel cylinder fail. I replaced the right rear side with no issues however after reinstalling my left am unable to get the drum back on. I have tried everything, from reassembly to loosening the ebrake cable tension inside the car (no it’s not up). Star wheel is also in as much as possible. Attaching pics below. Note: I did this awhile back ago on the same car and the right wheel was giving me the same problem (other way around). It seems to be an issue with whatever one I install second. I ended up bringing it to a shop and having them get it on…

 

Did either of the wheel cylinder pistons over extend and cause you to have to reinsert it back into the bore? Are the brakes just shifted to the left because you were messing with it just before the picture? The left wheel cylinder plunger should not be sticking out that far. Also the brake shoes on the left are too far out. When assembled correctly both plungers should look like the one on the right. If it's just looking like this because you were messing with it? I would assume there is air in the system and try to center the tops of the shoes so they both stick out the same from the wheel cylinder. Then crack open the bleed screw on the back of that cylinder and see if the spring pulls the pistons back in. then tighten the bleed screw and reassemble. I would then get a helper and bleed that one wheel after.

 

I ended up figuring out what the problem was, I had assembled my parking brake improperly by connecting it to the adjuster spring wire the wrong way. As a result the completed setup was unable to get the tension necessary to close the brake shoes in enough for the drum to make it over them. Hope this helps someone else.