No rear brakes, need some help!

Really hoping someone can help me out with this. I have a 98 2wd base model Tacoma. My rear brakes are not currently working. When the brake is applied, the shoes expand and then retract while the brake pedal is still pressed. My front brakes work fine, along with my ebrake. I have fluid going to both sides and I have bled them. Just trying to get an idea before I just start replacing parts.

 

There is an adjuster in the rear drum brakes. Try backing up (~ 10 mph) and firmly pressing the brake. No skidding. Try that several times. See if that helps.

 

1. I believe the parking brake must be applied for adjusting the brakes - not the service brake.
2. I have found autoadjusters (starwheel mechinism) never work, so I suggest adjusting them manually with a brake spoon.

 

If your description of the symptom, "When the brake is applied, the shoes expand and then retract while the brake pedal is still pressed", is correct and you visually see the shoes retracting while you have the pedal pressed, that makes me think there is still air in the brake fluid's system. The air in the line initially has the power to move the show a little bit but not enough force to press the shoe against the drum. At least that's what I'm seeing in my mind based on what you describe. There is a proper order for bleeding the brake components too. I've always thought it was bleeding the furthest corner from the master cylinder. So bleeding order should be passenger rear, than driver rear, than the LSPV, than passenger front and finally driver front.

 

Are your rear seals leaking? If you've got axle fluid on the drum, they won't have any braking power.

 

I have no leaks from what i see.

 

Yeah, when I have the drum off and apply the brake, I can see the shoe expand some, but it seems like it loses pressure and comes back in. My brake pedal feels real spongy and basically goes to the floor. https://www.reddit.com/r/ToyotaTaco...lly_hoping_someone_can_help_me_out_with_this/

 

Pep Boys is currently running a brake special.

 

Most likely what i'll have to end up doing, was just hoping the off chance someone else had the same problem and fixed it.

 

Sounds like you need to bleed them more thoroughly. Especially with the brake pedal comment. Have you bled them correctly?

 

Don't let them jack you around. You only need them to get the air out of the lines.

 

Just fixed my problem with this, twas the seals. Worth spending the money on the seals plus cleaning out and replacing the rear pads.
Cheers.

 

I have spent a good amount of time bleeding them, furthest away from master cylinder first and so on. But maybe not enough time, I will try bleeding them more.

 

Just had a thought that perhaps the master cylinder isn't maintaining pressure? I'm not sure if there is an exact way to determine this but I would think that after the pedal is pushed and held down, when you see the brake shoes back off the fluid in the reservoir should come a little bit. I think. Because the seal inside the master is allowing fluid to come back to the reservoir instead of maintaining it to the brake lines and thus the calipers and stuff. I'm just brainstorming with ya man. Youve already done the hard part, be a shame to take it in but understandable if you do. Brakes are a pretty important part of vehicle operation

 

I picked up a new master today, figured i'd make one last effort to figure it out before I just start replacing things. I have searched & searched and cant really find anyone that has had the same problem. I appreciate the replies. I was thinking it was the master cylinder, the proportioning valve, or air in the lines.

 

So it has a new master?
Yeah actually would be important to know what was actually done to the taco and what was the symptom/s you were experiencing that you were addressing?

 

Picked one up, I haven't installed it.

 

Wait a minute. Something isn't adding up. The fronts stay locked when the rear shoes back off? You lifted? Need all the info on the truck man. Sorry to be a pain but just want to you to get the right help/info lol

 

Oh okay

 

No worries. I do not have a lift, the truck is pretty bone stock. Thats what I dont get, my front brakes are working for sure b/c I can stop the truck. I jacked up the back and and when I hit the brake, the shoes touch the drum for a split second, then sink back. if you can see the video in this link, that's whats happening https://www.reddit.com/r/ToyotaTaco...lly_hoping_someone_can_help_me_out_with_this/