DIY: Toyota Tacoma 1995-2004 Brake Wheel Cylinder Replacement (VIDEO)

Video tutorial on how to replace the rear wheel cylinders on a 1st generation Toyota Tacoma. This particular truck I am working with here today is a 2001 4wd model which has the larger drum brake assembly. A similar replacement can also be applied to the 3rd generation Toyota 4Runner as well. The existing wheel cylinders were not seized or leaking on this truck, but thankfully the previous owner had new replacements just for preventative maintenance. Typically wheel cylinders can fail in a couple different ways. They can either seize up from rust, they have two pistons, one pointing to the front and the other towards the rear. Either of this pistons or both can seize. The seals can also fail in the wheel cylinder which would be shown by residue inside the brake drum assemble or on the outside of the backing plate towards the bottom.

 

When trying to remove drums, make life easy.

Thread a couple of screws into the tapped holes in the drum. Thread them in until they touch the axle hub. Then by slowly threading them in more, pull the drum off. No beating, no cursing...