Rear Brakes Maintenance?

2018 Sport with 70k miles. When should I service my rear brakes? Is there a good write up or YouTube link?

 

Service them when they need it aka worn out

 

Considering they're hidden by the drum and can't be visually inspected..what's the typical life span?

 

I never had to service mine in 145000 miles. Just pull the drums and look at the shoe material thickness next time you rotate the tires.

Replacement recommendation is in the manual, but it's some around 2 mm remaining.

Edit: I only replaced the front pads once, i want to say around 110k, so you have a reference for driving style.

 

Thanks for taking the time to reply in a helpful manner!

 

The other key advice for doing drums is take a few pictures before you take it all apart. And do one side at a time so you have an intact reference. But I'd be surprised if you had to do that anytime soon.

 

They should be adjusted at least 2 times a year, typically during a rotation.

You dont need to do much, they arent lubricated much from factory. Just remove drum, remove the dust with brake cleaner, then adjust the star wheel until drum has a slight bit of drag.

Drums can last a long time, but are far more effective when adjusted. Typically rear brakes should last about 100,000 miles if maintained.

If they arent adjusted they can last the lifetime of the vehicle.

 

Rear drums typically last a very long time, one of my last cars had 225k miles and the rear drum never had to be serviced.

 

I understand that drums can last a very long time but the lifetime of the shoes is of course much shorter. My concern is the shoes, not the drums. Regardless, based on feedback, I don't need to be concerned for quite a while.

 

Sorry I got loose on the lingo, often we refer them as "drum brakes", 100,000 is for shoes and drums.

 

No worries. I'm itching for something to work on, but it looks l need to keep itching. Thanks again!

 

Swing by my place, there is so much to do you will think you have fleas...

 

Pretty easy to check your rear drums. Check out this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dmUF5hbQEQ

 

How well does regular use of the parking brake work to keep them adjusted?

I never adjusted mine, but from the pad wear they were doing something when I hit the brakes.

 

Mine are squealing like a pig when slow parking lot braking. What brake grease is everyone using for the contact points? I don't like anti seize for that purpose.

 

How's the parking brake work? Does it set firmly? Does it go all the way to the carpet?
Honestly that's the quickest way to get a window into the health of the system

Don't expect the self adjuster to work properly, they never do.

After the shoes are clean and snug there's an adjustment up in the cabin for the cable when it stretches

 

How long do brake shoes or pads last? That's like asking how much a new car costs. Kia or Rolls-Royce?

It all depends on the kind of driving you do. A friend in Wyoming has a 2014 Subaru with more then 220,000 miles on the odometer. She has never had to replace any of the brake pads. Her driving, once she leaves the end of her 2 mile driveway, consists of 60 miles each way without touching the brakes. Other people who live in urban areas where there's a traffic light every 1/2 mile and on a good day, only one stop per light is needed, will need replace shoes or pads much more frequently. How much more frequently? Driving style matters.

Disc brake pads have steel flanges that make a screeching sound when they get to a given thin-ness. They will even screech when the brakes aren't being used. Drum brakes, such as on the rear of our Tacomas, need to be inspected. Excess "pull" on the parking brake is usually a clue that an inspection is needed. Disclaimer: This is based on many miles with vehicles that were not Tacomas, but the concept should be the same.

 

I like Permatex.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/permatex-silicone-ceramic-extreme-brake-parts-lubricant-0.5-oz-24129/12525089-p?product_channel=local&store=3911&adtype=pla_with_promotion&product_channel=local&store_code=3911&&&&&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgJyyBhCGARIsAK8LVLNTugSUUGdE12UIeyQaJDHM7qu6KqeHO3Ig3Vf0-ERNEbLLzaN23ZwaAlkiEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

If it helps: once they are finally gone, (actual brake shoe linings) you'll know: they'll make a lot of very cringe-worthy/ominous grinding noises that you won't be able to ignore. "Fingernails on a chalkboard type noises..." Except maybe worse-sounding... Ya.

 

It depends on driving style. I’ve owned 3 tacomas and a hilux 92. I never replaced or touched the pads. Each vehicle goes over 180,000 miles with mixed driving. I like to back off the parking brake and pull the drums to clean/inspect/lube every 5 years though. It certainly isn’t necessary.