Help with brake drum removal.

Hey everybody, Can anyone give me any insight as to how to get the break drums off?
I'm up for inspection this month and my parking/emergency brake is not holding. I've already tried adjusting them, and it didn't help. I suspect my problem is in the drums, but I can't get the damn things off.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Im not sure with the new toyotas but.. A lot of vehicles have threaded holes on the outside of the drum. You can get you a few 10 or 12mm bolts that are the correct threads and ratchet them in the holes. The bolts will then push against the end of the axle and force the drum out. If there are not threaded holes than if you get a hammer and hit in between the studs it will break the drum lose and you should be able to slide it right off. You dont want to pry from the back side because it will bend your backing plate and cause a rubbind noise.

 

I have a Haynes Manual that said the same thing about the holes. I can't find any bolts laying around that will fit. Do you know of any that I could "borrow" off the truck?

This is a first gen....2002

 

Got the drums off. Now to assess the problem.

 

now that you are into the brakes...make sure the drums dont have some rigid lines on them and the brake shoes dont either. if they do.....you will need to replace the shoes,and have the drums turned(unless the need replacing,of course.) the drums may have been just tight due to a little rust though. if thats the case, spray brake cleaner then adjust the brakes....parking brake included. then you should be good to go man!!!

 

I believe the problem involves the parking brake cable bell crank. Is it supposed to be real stiff or should it move relatively freely?

 

Also, I think I need new oil seals back there, cause driver's side drum has all kninds of grease residue around the outside edges of the pads.

 

i think the bell crank may need to be a little loose, not alot though. it should have a bit of play. and oil seals are probably a good idea. good insurance anyway.

 

The bell crank won't spring back on the drivers side of the truck. At least not as far as it's supposed to. I got it loosened up some, but I'm tired of f-ing with it. Tomorrow's another day.

 

kick its ass tomorrow,t4l!!!

 

I just couldn't leave it alone, knowing I hadn't accomplished anything. After further fiddling, I got the parking brake to hold...got the bell crank to spring back most of the way. Still needs a little work, but once again I'll attack that tomorrow.

 

use plenty of rust penetrating oil soak it then knock it back and forth should free up fine then dont forget to grease it as for your grease its common i have replaced plenty on tacomas and 4 runners also make sure your vent is clear in your carrier if its clogged it will biuld up some pressure and will cause seal failure at times

 

Where is that vent located at on the carrier?

 

close to the pumpkin has a small cap that wiggles

 

Thanks camt10. And welcome to TW

 

IMO we need a write up on rear brakes