fixing drum brakes on a toyota truck

[phatmanmike]

i have 1986 toyota truck, the cheepo version, no extras at all... back brakes are squeaking bad. i have no clue how to " do " drum brakes, i have done the fronts many times, replace pads and replaced rotors and calipers and such, but i am scared to even removed the drum.... what should ilook for and can i replace the shoes and get back on my merry lil way... i just want it to work the cheepest way poss, i only paid 5 bills for the whole truck and its really ugly... <br /><br />im afraid if i take the drum cover off, all kinds of lil springs and things are gonna shoot out...<br /><br />anybody , please, im clueless.....<br /><br />thanks<br /><br />m ikey

 

[ehenry]

Re: fixing drum brakes on a toyota truck

Mike, I have an 86 model and theres really nothing to it. Pull the drums off and do each side one at a time. That way you can go look at the side you haven't done when you start putting the first side back together. Its really not as hard as you think.

 

[petryshyn]

Re: fixing drum brakes on a toyota truck

Hi phatmanmike <br />While I do encourage the home mechanic, one really has to think about doing brakes when inexperienced. Brakes are what separates normal driving from disasters. Drum brakes are not as straight forward as disc brakes. Return springs can fail if not handled correctly. Air can be aspirated into the system from excessive piston travel. Brake performance can be hindered by a bad clearance adjustment. Drums must be checked for wear limits. Please, get them done professionally. If a collision occurs, you'll wish you had. . .

 

[DJ]

Re: fixing drum brakes on a toyota truck

Mike,<br /><br />No finer words could be spoken from an old time iboats pro. Mr. Schematic.<br /><br />Heed his advice, it is always dead on.

 

[Throbbin Rods]

Re: fixing drum brakes on a toyota truck

Mike<br />This is not as straighforward as disc brakes. If you happen to put the wrong spring in the wrong place you may not enjoy the consequences all that much. 27 - 28 years ago when I was "in the biz" I bought a book that was exteremely comprehensive for drum brakes, showed all kinds of pictures etc. It was just too darn hard to train all the newbie mechanics any other way. I made them all read that book. If you could find one it might help you to be ready next time. If you were in NH I'd say bring the beast and the parts to my house and I'll show you how. Any time.<br />Throbbin Rods out

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: fixing drum brakes on a toyota truck

wow, a schematic sighting... and he even said my name.......i do honor thy words spoken of thee schematic

 

[briannh1234]

Re: fixing drum brakes on a toyota truck

Phat man -<br /><br />I have a 98 toyota and I have purchased the chepo service manual for it. (not the factory one) The chapter on the brakes is quite extensive. Lots of pictures and everything. I have not had to service my rear breaks yet..<br /><br />Take a look at the manual at the store. If you feel that it is still over your head - then seek a mechanic.

 

[SoulWinner]

Re: fixing drum brakes on a toyota truck

Drums aren't so bad, 2 big springs, 2 little springs, and the adjuster. It helps to sray everything with brake parts cleaner and either draw a picture of it or take a digital photo. The one thing that comes being taught how to do it is adjusting the shoes after you put it all back together. To do that, you use a screw driver to turn the wheel on the adjuster (which is a pain in the behind) while spinning the tire and listening for the shoes to start t rub the drum.<br /><br />Having owned Toyotas for more than 10 years, one thing I have noticed is that worn out shoes combined with worn out drums can cause the pistons in the wheel cylinders to pop right out of the cylinder when the brake is actuated. Happened to me twice.