Hello: A friend of mine is going to replace the passenger side rear bearings on my '96 4runner as well as the differential seal. Last Saturday he was able to replace the seal but can't do the bearings until this weekend (a parts issue). Something very noticeable happened when I got the vehicle back from him. The brakes suddenly don't work (grab) as they did before he replaced the differential seal. I have to press the pedal considerably harder/farther down for the brakes to engage. It's very uncomfortable, safety wise. We've cleared the lines twice to get any air out, new brake fluid and still no signs of improvement. Wondering if anybody has some thoughts, comments on what's going on, what we're missing to get the brakes back in normal, working order? I thank you in advance.

 

Adjust your rear brakes with the start wheel inside the drum, or is it rear disc?
Also, if you are replacing the rear axle seal (define differential seal? Pinion seal? Axle seal?) that tells me it was leaking and if you have rear drum brakes they are oil soaked and need to be replaced. You will NEVER get all the oil out of the shoes. clean them all you want and as soon as they get hot more leaches out of the friction material.

 

Thank you. Yes, drum brakes and yes, there was a nasty leak that was on-going for about 2-3 weeks. So it's replacing the drums or shoes or both? Sorry, not mechanically inclined at all. I just want to make sure my buddy is on the same page. Appreciate it.

 

you can clean the drums with brake cleaner and rags, just do it thoroughly, the shoes are porous and will soak up too much of the lube to ever get it all out.
I am sure you will agree that lubrication on brakes is a bad thing!
your buddy probably had to loosen the rear brake adjusters to get the drums off and didn't readjust them after.
the only reason for you to replace the drums is if they are worn past the specified inner diameter or if they are badly grooved or warped past the point of having them resurfaced on a brake lathe.