Changing brake shoes in '06 Tacoma.

[asteffes]

Are any of you familiar with how to change brake shoes in a Tacoma? I need to do this soon. I'm very familiar with working on brake pads, changing fluid, etc., but I've never touched a set of shoes. Do I need any special tools for this? Advice? How-to?

Rock on,
Adam

 

[Dave Bennett]

Same boat here. I have done tons of disc brake pads over the years but have shied away from drums...

Maybe we could have a Tacoma brake seminar/wrench-a-thon? unk03:

 

[Jacket]

Really? I'm surprised that you'd have already worn out your shoes given that the fronts do most of the braking work. How many miles, and have you inspected them and determined that the shoes need changing?

Here's a useful link:

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/rearbrakes/

 

[Cackalak Han]

I don't get why Toyota decided to leave the drums on the Tacoma, but went to discs on every other model? (4Runner, Tundra, FJ). Very strange.

Anyway, here is a write-up for a 4Runner (3rd Gen), but should be the same.

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/4Runner/maintenance/brakes/

EDIT: Jacket's keyboard must have VTEC! :xxrotflma

 

[asteffes]

I have a scheduled service plan with Toyota. They check the brake thickness when I take it in every 5k. It had a few millimeters left at the last service, so I know it's coming.

I don't know why they stuck with drums, either. I suppose it saved them a couple bucks.

 

[Dave Bennett]

I don't know why they stuck with drums, either. I suppose it saved them a couple bucks.

I was told that it has to do with the parking brake... and money, of course

 

[Cackalak Han]

I was told that it has to do with the parking brake... and money, of course

Well, the other models also have parking brakes, too. And cost wise, I don't think it will be much more expensive (if at all) to produce discs? They're already making them for the 4Runners, which should be a simple enough job to switch in the components.

 

[BigAl]

Are any of you familiar with how to change brake shoes in a Tacoma? I need to do this soon. I'm very familiar with working on brake pads, changing fluid, etc., but I've never touched a set of shoes. Do I need any special tools for this? Advice? How-to?

Rock on,
Adam

Do one side at a time so you can look at the other. It's kind of like a puzzle. Also buy brake pliers, even cheap ones really help. You either need leverage or muscles to put the springs on.

 

[keezer36]

You guys make me feel old.
I've done miles of drum brakes.
Even made the foolish mistake of tearing down one side while the beer was going down smooth and then tearing down the other side while the beer was going down smooth and...
BigAl's got a good point. Do one side at a time so you can use the other for reference.
You don't have to have any special tools. The springs are a bit of a pain to stretch to the anchor pin but channel locks and a bit of muscle will usually do the trick.
Unless things have changed over the years, one shoe has more surface area than the other (primary/secondary shoe). Do make note of which goes where or refer to BigAl's advice and...do one side at a time.
There's no getting around that they are a pain, especially if your a virgin to the process.
I've yet to enjoy the Tacoma's rear brakes but from previous experience, I can tell you, when putting the new brakes on, put the star wheel adjuster (turned down), parking brake assy, and lower spring on then the hold down springs and cups in the middle of the shoes, then finally the top springs to the anchor pin.
I cannot fathom why Toyota did not go with disc brakes. I cannot believe that it is cheaper to make all this crap than the few parts in a disc brake assy.