I had the driver side inner axle seal go out on my 3rd gen. I fixed the seal a while back, but haven't replaced the brake pads yet. I need to do this since they soaked up gear oil and don't do a very good job anymore. Can I replace the pads only on one side or do I need to do both sides together? The pads are far from being worn out but I'm not sure if there are any consequences to only doing one side.

Also, I have seen recommendations for pads for the front disks (namely the landcruiser bracke pads). Are there any recommendations for good pads in the rear?

 

Pads? Does that 4Runner have disk brakes in the rear?

Disk - pads
Drums - shoes

I don't think you'll ever find brake shoes for only one side. I've only EVER seen them sold in pairs. I don't think the rear shoes have to be real great. They add only marginally to the truck's braking ability, so I'd just find something decent. Wagner ThermoQuiet were recommended to me...

 

Hey man...happened to me just a bit back. I took the backing plate, brake shoes, and drum to a local pressure wash with a little brake cleaner. It worked perfect...the shoes aren't as porus as you would think. You could give it a shot...just my thoughts

 

I agree with Andrew, soak the sucker with brake cleaner first before you start ripping apart the hardware. Personally, I hate doing drum pad replacement

 

Yep, they are drum brakes. I meant shoes. Thanks for the correction and the tip.

 

Yeah, I didn't try the pressure washer but I did try cleaning everything really well with brake cleaner. But still, the emergency brake won't hold the truck on any sort of slope so I know that the performance is nowhere near what it used to be.