Wondering how easy or difficult it is to change out wheel cylinders, brake shoes and/or drums on a 3rd gen? I'm not much of a mechanic but I can turn a wrench and read a manual. Have been told by rear wheel cylinders were leaking and I see no point in paying $400 (what I was quoted) to have them done. I have a garage and a fairly patient wife so I think this could be a "doable" project but I'm not sure. Anything to watch out for? Problem areas?

Martinjmpr,

Chances are it's not your rear wheel cylinders. That's not a common issue on these vehicles, but leaking rear axle seals are VERY common. In either case, the leak would look very similar, but again, leaking wheel cylinders are far less common. Check out this thread... it's a write-up I put togther for the rear axle seals. It might help you diagnose the problem.

Rear Axle Seals: The Ultimate Information and Replacement Thread (3rd gen)

I did my rear brakes when I replaced the axle seals and it wasn't bad at all. I had to buy a pair of brake spring pliers, which look like needle nose pliers but with hooks at the tips of the jaws. They allow you to get a firm hold on the springs that hold the shoes together so you can easily remove/install them. Also, there is a tool called a "Hold Down Spring Tool" that you can get at most auto parts stores for $5-10 that you'll need to remove the hold-down springs that secure the shoes to the backing plate. (You can see the hold down springs in the 3rd and 6th pictures)

This job is definitely more difficult than doing the front brakes, but just get yourself a haynes manual or you can access the Toyota Factory Service Manual (FSM) here>>>>

http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/1996/SIL/fsm/repair.html

>>> and it'll walk you right through it. Note that toyota will refer to the tools you need as SST's.

Also, I bought some rear brake shoes from Autozone, their Duralast brand. Well, long story short, these shoes SUCK! They don't fit very well. There is a pin that retains several of the drum brake parts to one of the shoes. Not only do you have to drive this pin into the pad yourself, the spine of the duralast pads was too thick and the pin didn't extend far enough through the spine to attach the C-clips that retain the other parts.

I ended up buying a rear brake shoe kit from Toyota. The pins were already pressed in, it came with all new hardware, an the shoes fit perfectly. I guess that's why the Toyota shoes cost $68 Vs. $14 for the Autozone shoes.

Here's a few close-up photos of the passenger side rear brake assembly (driver's is the same, but the shoe assemblies are on opposite sides), in case you decide to do the job, but forget to take pictures before you get it apart. I had both sides available for viewing when I did mine, so if I forgot where something went, I just went around and checked out the other side.





The pin I was talking about above is located near the top of the photo, just right of center.

My rear wheels cylinders were leaking on my 2000. I think you wouldn't have much of a problem changing them out if you're comfortable with a wrench..

I second the rear axle seal. Bigger chance of that going out.

I replaced the seals and the rear shoes. Once you figure out how everything fits together, you can do the job relatively quickly. Just remember to take your time and follow the manual. Otherwise, you're going to have to take the springs back off and re-do them.

I also second the Autozone. They're good enough, but not Toyota quality. Pressing the pin in with a hammer absolutely sucked. If I could do it over again, I'd pay for the Toyota parts.

I third that the pressing the pin sucks..

LOL, no joke there. There is a hell for the inventor of that locking mechanism.