Left rear brake locks up

[Mano1124]

Hey guys. A while back i was also a victim from the inner seals and leaked only on the left rear. With the help of many threads here, i tackled the job on my own :bravo: . What i didn't do was replace the break pads. I just sprayed them good with brake cleaner. Now, after my 4runner has been sitting for a while, the left rear brake locks up. I would have to reverse, then put it in drive. After a while of driving it goes away. So, this morning i removed the tire and the drum was stuck. I had to loosen up the brakes from behind the drums to remove the drum. I noticed the drum has brake shoe marks on them. What can be the problem? Brake shoes still soaked with differential fluid and causing the brakes to lock up or something else? Any help will greatly be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[nevada]

if the shoes were saturated, they can lock up. it sounds like this is the problem. time to replace them.

 

[Drcoffee]

If the drums were overheated when the axle leaked they very well could be out of round. I've had that happen before where the shoes were rubbing until they expanded enough to cause the wheel to shake violently. Take both drums to a machine shop and have the trued up on the lathe. You may want to pick up a new set of shoes while you are there. May I suggest the Wagner Thermo Quiet brand. They will probably be cheaper at rockauto.com.

 

[Mano1124]

Thanks guys. I'll replace the rear brake shoes and get the drums turned. I'll post the results after the fix.

 

[Mano1124]

Finally finished replacing rear brake shoes and had the drums turned. When installing the right rear shoes, a bit of brake fluid came out of the right boot of the wheel cylinder when i compressed the shoes together to get on the spring on. Should i be worried there will be more brake fluid gushing out?

 

[Dous]

Finally finished replacing rear brake shoes and had the drums turned. When installing the right rear shoes, a bit of brake fluid came out of the right boot of the wheel cylinder when i compressed the shoes together to get on the spring on. Should i be worried there will be more brake fluid gushing out?

That is a problem, a blown wheel cylinder. Its a cheap part usually under 25 if not OEM. That boot you see is only a dust cover, so if any fluid comes out they are blown

Be careful not to over extend the pistons during your install as that is what can cause them to fail

 

[Mano1124]

That's what i was afraid of. Everything was going smooth. Now i'll have to remove everything to replace the wheel cylinder. Thanks for helping out Dous. I was actually just going to drive it like that.

 

[Gerdo]

Now i'll have to remove everything to replace the wheel cylinder.

And bleed the brakes since you will open the lines. At least on that wheel.

 

[Mano1124]

Sure will Gerdo. Thanks.

 

[Dous]

Just as an FYI if you aren't going OEM look at the Napa replacements, I bought one at Autzone and the quality was really poor. It didn't even come painted so it rusted in days

 

[Shibby!]

Sometimes there may be fluid under the cap if you overextended the piston while installing the shoes.

Still not a bad idea to replace with the miles you have, but there is a chance it's not damaged.

 

[Mano1124]

Thanks for the quick replies guys. I just don't want my new brake shoes to get soaked with brake fluid.