Rear Drums wont fit even with the Star Wheel Adjusted

I've had a heck of a weekend. My goal was simple: replace the rear brakes on my 2012 Tacoma. I have failed to achieve my goals. From a stripped lug nut Saturday afternoon, to my own naivete and wet weather, my truck is still up on jacks. Latest problem: can't get the drum back-on over the new brake pads. I managed to turn the star wheel enough so that it is no longer a factor in why the drums won't fit. I've heard it suggested that I need to bleed the rear cylinder so that I am able to compress the brake shoes all the way. Is this the correct way to fix this problem? The videos on Youtube don't seem to need to do this. I'm weary that this will cause other issues with braking. Any insight would be helpful

 

Are your wheel cylinders compressed all the way? All your adjusters in the right place? Are the shoes lined up? Do you have a lip on the drum preventing it from sliding over the new shoes? A pic might help

 

That's my guess. With the adjusters all the way in, you should be able to squeeze both shoes in (either have a helper on the other side hold those shoes in, or get the other drum jammed on some which way, so if the W/C isn't fully in you don't pop the other side out) and if there's not a real good lip, you should be able to wiggle them on. Here's that "should" again, you should be able to get the drum bore over the shoes, and then be able to wiggle the whole thing, if needed, to line up with the studs and then the hub.

 

Take a look at the other shoes and compare to see if something doesn’t match up.

 

New drums or the same old ones?

Did you have them resurfaced? If not, did you knock the lip down on the outer lip of the drums?

 

The ebrake is off, right?

Have to ask about everything in these cases.

 

It happens...

 

I'm thinking that something isn't put together correctly. With the adjuster screwed all the way in the drums should nearly put themselves on.

A picture would be great. Did you do both sides? If not compare the two sides.

Replacing the shoes on a 2012 this soon is pretty strange IMO. How many miles? On my 2012 they still look like new.

 

@aletzring we're waiting to hear what you found..............

 

Amazing when people make their 1 and only post and then don't even stick around for 1 minute to see what people's answers are and thank them for their help.

 

Maybe wary is the word?

Just saw that. Not sure I've ever seen someone bail, and not return, quite so fast before. Especially when it's a legit sounding post.

Well. Guess I'll wait a bit longer.




Then off into the recycled electron bin it goes.