Doing only one side of rear brakes

Would it harm anything to replace the rear drum pads at different times? Can I do one side one day and then a few days later do the other side and still drive the truck? Thanks for your input.

 

Ideally you should do them at the exact same time but a "few" days apart should not be a big deal.

 

I'd wait until you're able to do both sides at the same time!

 

can't think of any reason why that would be a problem...as long as they arent completely worn down

 

I have never done brakes one at a time but I guess it can be done, just goes against the grain is all.

 

You'll be fine. Do the other side as soon as possible though.

 

One reason it's better to do both at the same time is the brakes will act differently if only one is changed. One will grab better over the other, which can cause the truck to act differently in a panicked situation. Having said that, with that information and only going a couple days you should be fine.

 

Okay I did them both today. The left (first) side took 2 hours half of which I fought with the damn retaining disk on the pads. The second side took 1/2 hour. I found the trick to the retaining springs are to put the ring in between vice grips, push it against the spring, and from the back side insert and turn the pin 90 degrees. Did it 3 times without even a retry. Back in business. Hopefully I'll have a new truck before these need to be done again.

Thank you veterans for the service you gave that allows me my freedoms. (Also for a day off work). Thank you militant nut job protesters for making it too dangerous to go downtown to the mall with the wife. I got to stay home and do brakes.