Getting tired of my 4runner....stupid rear brakes

[pcleary1210]

So my third gen 4runner was bought with the understanding that the previous owner abused it. I dont mind fixing things, but I dont like having to re-fix things multiple times.

I replaced front lower CAB's, LBJs, and rebuilt the rear brakes because one side would lock up at low speeds (not an axle seal issue).

A few weeks later I smell burning metal and start getting really violent vibrations throughout the vehicle. Smell was coming from rear tires. Seems like a drum was heating up and warping.

Pulled them apart today (one side was stuck on), cleaned them off, re-adjusted the bellcrank (it was out), and re-adjusted brakes, and voia-la.....at first. Now on the freeway I still smell burning. No shaking (yet), but the smell is definitely there.

There's also what feels like a u-joint vibration in the rear. Friend of mine says maybe it's a failing clutch? It doesn't seem to slip or otherwise, though it's got a bit of chatter to it.

Any thoughts? I dont want to just keep blindly pulling the damn rear brakes apart.

-PC

 

[Granite]

Maybe the guibo?

 

[LittleCaesar]

Using OEM shoes?

How about the cylinder? When you pulled off the drum, was it fully extended? I had a cylinder fail on my brother's Tacoma and it pushed the shoes to the drum, causing some sort of pulsating braking. After a new drum, cylinder, and bleed, all was well.