the main adj for the rear brakes is inside the drum. its called the self adj. bad thing about toyotas and alot of vehicles is that they dont work too well. sounds like you just need to adj you rear brakes. go some where that does brakes and pay them 10 to adj them.

 

Yeah, I think I'll take it in. I'm sure I'll need a brake job if the previous owner had it like this for a while but I'll just get it adjusted for now. Later I'll do some reading to see if I can handle the whole job on my own.

 

yea the drums are a pita to get off but theres threaded holes on them for a reason if you can find bolt that fits u can thread it in there and it should pop the drum off

 

Yup. There are a couple threaded M8 holes in the drum. Screw 2 M8s into them, and they will push the drum off the hub.

Slap some antiseize or grease on those threaded holes when you put it back together so the threads don't rust out. I usually use them when i pull my drums.

 

I took it in and they confirmed your hunch. The axle seal was bad and the oil screwed up the shoes and caused them to grab/overheat.