Warped break drums help

When I brake on my 02 4x4 I feel a slight stopping and going feeling when I am almost at a complete stop under 5mph. I think its my rear break drums that might be warped. I am pretty sure its not the front because I just did new rotors and pads about a month ago and also my steering wheel doesn't shake at all when im breaking.

Now my question is, do I have to do a complete break job in the rear or can I just swap out the drums? I pulled the drums off a couple days ago and the brake shoes look almost new still.

What do you guys suggest? I want to just change out the drums tonight since I am leaving for Mojave tomorrow early morning and I don't think I will have time to do a full brake job. I already have the drums and shoes though, could I do the drums before the trip and once I get back do the shoes?

 

I don't think its your drums.

 

I doubt it is either. Did you have your rotors turned when put new pads on. There could be pad transfer on the rotors and that is enough to make it feel like it is grabbing and then letting loose. The rotors should be turned or replaced and pads broken in properly. I say deal with it till you get back and have time to do it all right. Return drums and get money back. Be sure and use your parking brake also since your rear brakes are self adjusting. Good luck

 

They were new rotors and pads in the front.

Also, when I lift up the rear tires and I spin the wheel, I can hear that the brakes rub for about 60degrees of the full 360degees. So for one full rotation, I can hear the shoes rub on the drum for a little less than a 1/4 turn then nothing for the remaining.

 

The drums can be turned also. But if new pads and rotors are not properly burnished and even pad tranfer laid then they can still be your problem also.

 

Wouldn't that cause my steering wheel to shake though?

 

if your previous front rotors were warped, and warped for a period of time before replacing them, the warping action can slowly make the rear drums get slightly 'out of round', causing exactly what you are describing...been there, had it happen...the warping causes pressure oscillation's all through the brakes pressure lines and affects the drums over time..


New drums will help, if you have the time, just take the drums off, have them turned/trued quickly and slam them back on, you really should replace the pads too since the originals could be glazed by now, even if they look like they have a lot of pad left, that can wait until you finish playing...


Cheapest/quickest way is to have them turned, go play, when you come back replace the rear shoes and install the new drums ASAP...


My advise is to do the whole thing, you should be able to do this before you leave in the morning, pull an all nighter, then go play...

 

I have the same problem in my tacoma. At least one rotor is warped and has lead to warped drums. Both are easy to replace, which is what I would recommend.

 

Try adjusting the rear brakes following FSM steps (also included in Haynes manual) .There are 3 items that need to be adjusted for the rears to work properly. No cost, just time. Do that before throwing new, un-needed parts at it.

First there is the star wheel adjustment, maybe one is too tight and needs to be backed off.

There is an adjustment to the e-brake bell-crank (at the end of the e-brake cable outside of the backing plate).

Then the e-brake 'click count adjustment' (adjustment nuts are under the driver-side of the body).