Hey all

Is it common practice to replace both sides of the rear brakes even though only one side needs it? I had to replace one side due to it being saturated by dif oil. The other side is now a different brand and different wear age. I'm not totally sure but I think I can only buy a left and right set of brakes together.

 

yes, you should replace both sides at the same time.

 

x2 what xxxtreme 22R said

yes you should replace both sides at same time. You blew an axle seal I presume...you want exactly even wear on both sides if at all possible and it is possible since you replacing.

 

On the subject of brakes, all hardware should be replaced also?
I understand the wear on the springs and the conditions they work under is sufficiently extreme to warrant new hardware kit with the shoes.

A question though, how hard is it to get the springs on and off without the special brake-spring-removal-tool?

Not really interested in another tool, should it not be be possible with some pliers, a screwdriver and some bad language?

 

yup, I never use those brake spring pliers, overrated. a pair of needle nose will work. your gonna want both front and rear hardware kits. the pins on the front like to fuse themselves in, mine did.

 

If im replacing my rear brakes...i mean the whole rear brake on both sides, is the backing plate necessary, I cant seem to find any replacements for it anywhere! Is it just to keep dirt off of the brakes? On my truck they are just shields of unsightly rust!

 

yes, it is required, although there are backing plate eliminators for them but I believe those are just for the guys changing to rear disc. Have you tried the dealership? You can always wire wheel them and repaint.

 

Im getting pretty good at the wire wheel and repaint option...havent tried dealership yet...thats always the last place i go, usually costs more there

 

replace both sides, at least the shoes. wouldnt make sense not to, the box comes with a full set. dont have to replace both drums, turning them would do fine, unless they are under specs. its easier to just replace the hardware kits, pretty cheap. consider your wheel cylinders too, not too expensive. as far as the spring tool, they do come in handy, but vise grips work just fine.

 

I have always wondered what it takes, cost and difficulty, of changing to rear disc brakes...does anyone know?

 

No meaning to jack thread, just expanding the topic,hope you dont mind. .

How much wear should the shoes be showing before they need replacing?
(realise the importance, but if it aint broken, don't fix it, no? )

Also how to adjust them properly?
I guess they need to be adjusted to not be dragging on the drums, but close enough to work properly?
(This has got LSD, and would need both drums in the air, in neutral to find out how much the drums are draging on the shoes?)

 

Changing the rear lining is set down here by the safety inspection limits But i tend to change mine way before that since I always keep extra lining on the shelf it is easy to look when ever the drums are off.

When it gets for me below 1/2 of the thickness of new I replace it.

As to adjust a slight drag works to start but the e-brake keeps them adjusted up so it helps if that is in good working order .

as for backing plates I read somewhere some one got new ones from the dealer at a pretty good price.

 

changing it over is easy, however after doing so, you have to deal with the loss of the ebrake and have to add the transfer case brake or line locks.

 

Thats good to hear, wyoming9. In theory, even if they are adjusted a bit to loosley now, active use of the e-brake will adjust the shoes to a proper distance?

I guess then, that the OP can get out of his dillemma of changing one side by applying the e-brake more often, and thereby get even wear on his brake shoes?

 

hey xxxtreme, are there any websites that have instructions on how to do this, also, can i use any type of disc brakes and calipers, or are there a specific type that I would need to use?

 

search around, there are some suppliers listed here that carry the conversion kit. I don't know too much about how to do it or what is all involved, just know that there are kits out there.