How to Change the Rear Brakes on a 1998 Toyota

The rear brakes on the 1998 Toyota don't wear out nearly as fast as the front brakes do, but you still need to change them periodically. Making this project one of your regular maintenance tasks and changing them yourself can keep you from paying your hard-earned money unnecessarily to a repair garage. The project is not at all difficult and someone with no experience can change the rear brakes in about 45 minutes per wheel. When you start hearing that high pitched sound coming from the wheels when you apply the brakes, you'll know it's time to change them.

Instructions

1

Park the vehicle on a level surface and wedge the wheel chocks on the front wheels. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel on which you plan to work first, while the tire is still on the ground.

2

Raise the rear end of the car up with the automobile jack. Place a jack stand under the frame near the jacking point and raise it up to the frame. Release the automobile jack so the car rests on the jack stand.

3

Remove the wheel from the side you are starting with using the lug wrench to continue removing the lug nuts. Place the lug nuts aside.

4

Remove the brake drum by pulling it straight from the axle. Sometimes if the brake drum has been on for a long time, you will need to loosen it with the rubber mallet. Strike the drum on the sides a couple of times to free it and then pull it off.

5

Remove the return spring from the front brake shoe by unhooking it. The return spring is the one that is hooked both on the front and rear brake shoes.

6

Remove the retaining spring using the pliers to depress the round retainer and twisting one-quarter turn and pulling it from the brake shoe. Do this for both the front and rear brake shoes on that wheel. Remove the automatic adjuster, the adjuster strut and the springs. Remove the parking brake lever.

7

Clean the backing plate as well as the rest of the brake area. Check for any signs of leakage from the brake cylinder. Check inside the brake drum of any signs of scoring from bad brake shoes. If there is any damage, have the drums machined smooth or replace them.

8

Connect the automatic adjuster assembly to the new rear brake shoe and lock it into place with the C-clip. Connect the adjusting strut, return spring and the adjusting spring to the rear shoe. Place the rear shoe into place on the wheel assembly and lock it into place with the retaining spring. Turn it one-quarter turn while depressing it with the pliers to lock it in.

9

Put the front brake shoe on the wheel assembly and connect the return spring and adjuster spring to it using the pliers to stretch it across. Make sure the brake adjuster seats properly between the two brake shoes.

10

Install the anchor spring between the two screws and then place the brake drum over the brake assembly. Place the wheel back on the car.

11

Remove the jack stand from under the car and lower the car back to the ground. Repeat the process for the other wheel.

12

Once you have installed the rear brakes on both sides of the Toyota, have someone help you bleed the air out of the brake lines. Your helper pumps the brake pedal four or five times, stops at full depression and holds the pedal there as you open the bleeder valve on the backside of the wheel using a wrench. Do this two or three times until no more air comes out of the brake line. Repeat this for the other wheel.