My '96 4Runner failed DC vehicle inspection due to failing the brake test. I got a printout that lists the force measured at each wheel.

FR - 850 lbf
FL - 846 lbf
RR - 130 lbf
RL - 278 lbf

The guy who there just said the rear brakes failed.

If anyone is familiar with the dc inspection system, are they just looking for proper brake bias or is there a specific threshold the brakes have to meet (or both)?

I don't know the last time the brakes were bled. The fluid looks pretty dark. Do you think simply bleeding the brakes will solve the problem or is this indicative of a bigger issue?

 

Dark fluid is no good. Pull the drums off and see what kind of shape the rears are in. If they look fine, hose it all down with brake cleaner, do a full system bleed until you get clear fluid and try again.

 

problem is a bad rear axle seal. Shop quoted me $650 for new seals and brakes (including new drums) but said they could take an hour of labor off so I'm looking at about $560. Does that sound like too much? I would usually do this myself but I need to get my car registered ASAP and won't have time to fix this for a little while.

 

Given all of the parts and labor involved as well as your need to get it done ASAP, I would say that is a deal.

 

is there a brake bias you say. cause i dont have rear brakes either. i guess i should check my fluid though.

 

That sounds like a good deal to me, if install is included. Which shop are you taking it to in the DC area?

 

Clean the grease off the shoes and out of the drum. It is probably more of a seep than a leak.

Run some sand paper over the brake shoes.
Make sure your brakes are in adjustment. Keep turning the star-wheel until you feel a drag while turning the rear drums.

It is most likely a combo of the grease and being out of adjustment.

That would most likely make you pass the inspection.

 

The quote is for one new seal and new brakes on both sides. Not new seals on both sides. Only the right side is leaking.

The shop is the NTB on the corner of rt. 1 and Hume in Alexandria. Maybe not the best shop around but this isn't a complicated job and it's within walking distance of work so it's extremely convenient. Trying to get a quote from a couple other places including the dealer but apparently these places don't want my business because they won't return my phone calls.

 

It cost me under a hundred bucks and about 2 hours to do the one seal and both rears. You can get away with just replacing the one seal if you clean the brakes really well with cleaner as others suggested. $600 is a ton for that if you ask me.

 

Have you checked out Alexandria Toyota? I have nothing but good things to say about their service. However when I recently was calling in to order my new exhaust (btw, a TRD exhaust is hard as fack to track down), it took 2 days to get calls back about it. Some calls haven't even been returned yet. Which is strange because I usually have zero problem dealing with them.

 

Dropped my 4Runner off at NTB this morning because they said they could get it done today. They just called me and said they can't do it because they don't have the right tool

They also said I need a new bearing. I don't think they are BSing because they actually suggested I take it somewhere else to get the work done. I'm thinking I'll take it to the dealer or other reputable shop for the new axle seals and bearing and do the brakes myself. I don't think I could do the bearing since I don't have a press and from what I've read it's a PITA to do yourself. Does anyone know typically how many hours of labor a shop will charge for the seals and bearing?

EDIT: just called the dealer they want $440 for the axle seals + the cost of the bearing which I'm guessing is $80? Didn't have time to wait for him to look it up.