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Drum brake help please

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by tacoma4, Sep 5, 2015.

  1. Sep 5, 2015 at 11:23 AM
    #1
    tacoma4

    tacoma4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Reinstalling my drum brakes after fixing the parking brake. Can't figure out which hole this spring goes in on the front side pad on the passenger side. I know the back of the spring goes in the hole I have it in though. I pulled the parking brake mech out of the way and there's two holes there. Which does it go in? Thanks! This is a 99 4 runner BTW but should be the same as a 1st Gen.

    20150905_131639.jpg
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  2. Sep 5, 2015 at 11:50 AM
    #2
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    It goes in the one shaped just like the one to the left you have the spring in

    I put the one in the right first because it goes in from the back side other wise it is impossible to get the left one on.

    DFo you have the other side apart as well that you could not look ??
     
    tacoma4[OP] and Janster like this.
  3. Sep 5, 2015 at 11:52 AM
    #3
    adanfon

    adanfon YNWA

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    ^yes check the other side for reference, always do one at a time because they're tricky.
     
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  4. Sep 5, 2015 at 11:54 AM
    #4
    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

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    Only work on one side at a time and always use the other side as reference. Or...in any mechanical installations, if you don't have anything to reference from...take LOTS & LOTS of photographs before you start and during the removal process.
     
    tacoma4[OP] likes this.
  5. Sep 5, 2015 at 12:29 PM
    #5
    tacoma4

    tacoma4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I put it in the slotted shaped one and it works now. I didn't have the left brake apart since it was only frozen on the right side. I'm sure the left will follow shortly. I did take photos before hand but the parking mech was blocking the holes. Much appreciate the replies.
     
  6. Sep 5, 2015 at 3:34 PM
    #6
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    Brakes you should always do both sides !!

    That way it is done and to keep things in balance.
     
  7. Sep 5, 2015 at 3:48 PM
    #7
    tacoma4

    tacoma4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The brake shoes were good I didn't replace them. They just had to come off so I could get the parking brake hinge thingy off. It was rusted in place and wouldn't release. Took it apart, sanded, painted, and put it back together. Got my parking brake back! !
     
  8. Dec 13, 2016 at 3:25 PM
    #8
    CC33

    CC33 Well-Known Member

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    I know this is an old thread... but how hard was it to take apart/ put back together the rear drum? I have to replace my driver side parking brake cable this weekend and wondering just how much work I'm getting myself into.
     
  9. Dec 13, 2016 at 3:54 PM
    #9
    lukester78

    lukester78 Well-Known Member

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    Drum brakes are a pretty straightforward project, the first time I attempted them it took me around an hour for each brake.
     
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  10. Dec 14, 2016 at 12:50 AM
    #10
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    This is one of those trick questions .

    I have never seen the brakes of the newer trucks. Going by 2015 in your signature.

    just what year and what is the problem??

    Did they go to a two piece rear cable ??

    I know the first look after pulling the drum can be quite intimidating if your not really mechanically inclined
     
    Last edited: Dec 14, 2016
  11. Dec 14, 2016 at 1:07 PM
    #11
    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

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    You have a 2015...are you still under warranty? Brake cable should be under 3/36???

    Just some suggestions...
    Depending on what it looks like in there.....you might need/want to hose things off first and clean it out. Then....take LOTS & LOTS of photographs before you do anything. Scroll thru this thread...there are photos. Search the forum and online to get writeups and photos, etc.
     
  12. Dec 17, 2016 at 9:29 AM
    #12
    skeezix

    skeezix Well-Known Member

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    Over the last 55 years reassembling rear shoes has become increasingly difficult. It was much easier when the front and rear shoes each had its own return spring. In the 1990s the job became noticeably harder. Replacing the shoes on my 1987 truck wasn't too bad but I did notice the difference. Last year when I did them on my 1998 TRD, it took all my strength to reattach one of the return springs. Had to use vice grips tightened all the way and push the spring to my right as hard as I could to hook it into place.
     
  13. Dec 17, 2016 at 2:47 PM
    #13
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    When installing the return springs you do screw the adjusters all the way closed it does make installing the springs much easier .

    As the brakes need to be adjusted up in any case
     
  14. Dec 17, 2016 at 6:11 PM
    #14
    KenLyns

    KenLyns 8.75" Third Member

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    Open the brake fluid reservoir under the hood. When you compress the shoes, it's similar to separating the pads in the front calipers. Worst comes to worst, use ratchet straps. :)
     
  15. Dec 17, 2016 at 6:13 PM
    #15
    KenLyns

    KenLyns 8.75" Third Member

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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JuVrd5pUbA
    BTW the automatic transmission version is equally easy to access: unscrew the shift knob and the center console bezel pops out similar to the one in the video.
     
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2016
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  16. Dec 18, 2016 at 8:43 AM
    #16
    skeezix

    skeezix Well-Known Member

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    I didn't think of that. I'm going to make a note of it and try it the next time.

    Also, yes, I did screw in the adjusters all the way. For what it's worth, when I tried to pull the return spring into its slot, the spring pulled the shoe to which it was already attached toward the wheel cylinder, and the shoe that I was trying to attach to moved away from the wheel cylinder.

    And one more thing - I've been experiencing problems getting the little outer disk washer (the ones with the slotted hole) that secures the brake nails to the shoes. I don't have the correct tool and have been using my water pump pliers. For the next job I'm going to buy the tool for these little buggers! That'll save me another 5 to 10 minutes reassembling everything.
     
    Last edited: Dec 18, 2016
  17. Dec 18, 2016 at 1:50 PM
    #17
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    The right tools make it so much easier .
     

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