how many of you change the shims?
Do I just look for wear/bends etc? and do it as needed?

thanks,
aaron

 

Every time I've done breaks I changed the shims. It was no trouble. I just like shiny parts

 

yo mang, where in this city do you buy your shims....and what do they set you back. If memory serves (from NOT replacing the shims in my camry) only the stealerships have them?

-a

 

Mine always came with my brake pads from autozone and a little tube of goo...

 

hmm, intresting....the pads for my camry from AZ didn't come w/ shims.....or goo!

i order'd up kevlar pads for my 4runner....so, I guess I'll wait and see if they come w/ the shims.

~a

 

The only break padz i've purchased were for hondas so I've never seen what comes with toyota padz.

 

You don't have to change the shims for new ones if you don't want to. I've done brake jobs with new shims and I've done them without. The important thing to do is if you're reusing the old shims, is to clean them up throughly (take a wire brush to them and brush off all the old brake dust), and make sure to use some goo.

Regards,
Ben(Miami)
'02 Limited 4X2

 

while talking about brakes...has any one ever replaced the piston deal in the rear drum? I hear that you should do this every so often and i have about 100,000 mi., so i was thinking maybe i should. I just finished my front brakes.

 

David-
I don't know that there is a time frame or mileage on wheel cylinders (aka "the piston deal in the rear drum") But if they are leaking or your rear brakes are sticking or otherwise malfunctioning....do it up! I know my '98 had rear wheel cylinders before I purchased it.

~aaron

 

I am replacing my wheel cylinders and shoes this weekend. Have a leak back
there I believe. They were cheap. I did the fronts, and now the
back end locks up sometimes. Pedal feels horrible, and everyone
who drives it, says its quite scary.

~Wade