andrew. they are surpose to be worn unevenly (thats drums for yah) as the piston move out bottom of the shoes grabs
(check figure 5) http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/brakes/brake-types/drum-brake1.htm
diagnose the problem, don't replace all the componets and hoping it fixes the problem
(lights don't work, replace lights, still don't work, check whole wiring loom, find nothing, and your mate asks "did you check the fuse?"
and there you know it fuse is blown)