kkim

I took the rear drums off my 90 2wd to adjust and inspect and found both my rear brake cylinders just weeping some fluid past the rubber boots. I was wondering if there is a way to remove the cylinders w/o taking the brakes shoes off the hub? Is there a way to spread the shoe ends out far enough to just unbolt the cylinders and replace?

Anyone know of a good DIY on rear brake servicing?

Thanks

2ToyGuy

The only way I know is to pop the springs loose on the shoes, and if you're going to go that far, may as well just take them off and out of the way completely. And then when you're done, clean everything superduper good with brake cleaner. Especially the shoes. I always buy at least three cans before I go into the drums myself.
They do sell rebuild seal kits, I think at Napa, for the rear actuators. Much less expensive than replacing the whole thing, and very easy to do.

Adam F

Maybe if you undo the top spring. But its really not hard to just take the shoes off. It helps if you have one of those screwdrivers with the V cut into it, but a regular flathead screwdriver will work. Here's a pic of the shoes

2ToyGuy

I invested in one of those "special" barake tools, and it did help quite a bit. It was only like $4.00 at Harbor Freight. It worked very well... Just a thought...

98_YOTA

Yes, just set your parking brake AFTER you remove both drums, that will push both shoes OUT. Giving you enough room to remove the old wheel cylinders and putting in new ones. I know it sounds "weird" but it works. As long as you don't remove any springs, the shoes will remain out of your way until you release the parking brake. I do it at work all the time when just replacing wheel cylinders. Good luck!!!

2ToyGuy

Hey, that's a great idea! I never thought about doing that, but it would be a great way to keep the shoes off the brake cylinder while you work onit. Thanks for the thought, I'll remember it next time I need to get in there...Still need to clean the heck out of everything before you put the drums back on though. I DO know that. Including the drums.
Anyway, thanks for the tip.