Heavy Brake Fluid Leak

[juliwi]

Hey guys,

after parking my T4R at an ascending slope over night I had lost all my brake pressure the next morning. I spotted a heavy leak at the rear driver wheel:



Breaking fluid level was way below minimum.

After pulling the wheel off I accessed the drum brake and fund that both gaskets are brittle and damaged, the left one broken in two pieces (that's why I removed it then):





Is it easier to replace the complete drum break assembly OR to replace only the two gaskets (assumed I can buy them somewhere??) ?
The breaking mechanisms looks relatively complicated to dismantle, however I fear to damage the hose and nut while attaching to a replacement, (2nd hand) drum.

For the following bleeding process I've luckily already found detailed information in the forum :nice thread:

Thanks =)

 

[ajohnson]

The small cylinder (wheel cylinder) at the top of the brake assembly is what I think you're referring to. That is what looks to be leaking. It's fairly easy to replace. You can you use the other side as a reference to put it back together correctly. Get a manual or do a search for a write up. It wouldn't hurt to replace the other side as well.

The brake line on the axle housing attaches to the wheel cylinder.

 

[92-SR5]

Yup, super easy fix. Only costs around $10 ea IIRC.

 

[mikesmith140]

Make sure to replace your brake pads and clean the drum very good. Once the pads are contaminated with gear oil they will never be "right", no matter how much you clean them or what they look like. My 4Runner rear wheel would lock up at slow speeds due to a gear oil contaminated brake pad. Since you're already cleaning the area and replacing the seals, install some new pads. You'll be glad you did! (you don't want to spend another 1/2 day taking the drum apart if you take care of it now)

Mike

 

[nevada]

Make sure to replace your brake pads and clean the drum very good. Once the pads are contaminated with gear oil they will never be "right", no matter how much you clean them or what they look like. My 4Runner rear wheel would lock up at slow speeds due to a gear oil contaminated brake pad. Since you're already cleaning the area and replacing the seals, install some new pads. You'll be glad you did! (you don't want to spend another 1/2 day taking the drum apart if you take care of it now)

Mike

just to clarify, hes got a wheel cylinder leaking, thus its brake fluid, not gear oil.


altho, I do agree with what you said. sometimes, if you catch it quickly, and the shoes aren't too bad, they can be cleaned and reused. but typically, if they get soaked, they are done.