🔧 Tacoma - Rear Brake Shoe & Drum Replacement

Your Tacoma does not use rear brake rotors from the factory. It uses rear drum brakes, which means the replaceable wear parts are the brake shoes and brake drums.

This job removes the rear drums, replaces the shoes and hardware, installs new drums, then adjusts the rear brakes so the pedal and parking brake feel correct.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support your Tacoma with jack stands before removing the rear wheels.
• ⚠️ Never work on a vehicle held up only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Release the parking brake before removing the rear drums.
• ⚠️ Do not blow brake dust with compressed air. Wet it with brake cleaner first.
• ⚠️ Brake cleaner is flammable. Keep it away from sparks, flame, and hot parts.
• ⚠️ If a rear wheel cylinder is leaking brake fluid, stop and repair the leak before driving.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 21mm lug nut socket
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Brake spring pliers (specialty)
• Brake hold-down spring tool (specialty)
• Brake adjusting spoon (specialty)
• Flathead screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Slip-joint pliers
• 8mm x 1.25 bolts
• Brake cleaner aerosol
• Drain pan
• Shop rags
• High-temperature brake grease
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Dust mask

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake shoe set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake drums - Qty: 2
• Rear drum brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• Rear brake adjuster kit - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 2 cans
• High-temperature brake grease - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Tacoma on level ground.
• Shift the transmission to Park.
• Release the parking brake completely.
• Place wheel chocks in front of the front tires.
• Take a clear photo of each rear brake assembly before removing springs.
• A brake drum is the round metal part that the brake shoes press against to stop the truck.
• A brake shoe is the curved friction part inside the drum.
• A star wheel adjuster is a small toothed wheel that sets how close the shoes sit to the drum.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each rear lug nut half a turn.
• Do this while the tires are still on the ground so the wheels do not spin.
• Loosen only, do not remove.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear

• Use the floor jack under the rear axle housing to lift the rear of your Tacoma.
• Place the jack stands under solid rear axle support points.
• Lower your Tacoma gently onto the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Leave the floor jack lightly touching the axle as a backup.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels.
• Place the wheels flat under the truck as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Remove the Rear Brake Drum

• Pull the brake drum straight outward by hand.
• If it is stuck, thread two 8mm x 1.25 bolts into the threaded holes on the drum face.
• Use the 1/2-inch drive ratchet only if needed with a suitable socket on the bolts, tightening both bolts evenly until the drum pops loose.
• If the drum catches on the shoes, use the flathead screwdriver or brake adjusting spoon through the backing plate slot to loosen the star wheel adjuster.
• Turn both puller bolts evenly.

Step 5: Clean the Brake Area

• Put on safety glasses, nitrile gloves, and a dust mask.
• Place the drain pan under the brake assembly.
• Spray the assembly with brake cleaner aerosol to wet and rinse away brake dust.
• Wipe the backing plate with shop rags.

Step 6: Inspect the Wheel Cylinder

• Use a shop rag to wipe around the wheel cylinder at the top of the brake assembly.
• The wheel cylinder is the hydraulic part that pushes the brake shoes outward.
• If you see wet brake fluid around the rubber boots, the wheel cylinder is leaking and should be replaced before continuing.

Step 7: Remove the Upper Return Springs

• Use the brake spring pliers to remove the upper return springs from the brake shoes.
• A return spring pulls the brake shoe back after you release the brake pedal.
• Use needle-nose pliers for smaller springs if needed.
• Keep the old springs nearby until the new parts are installed for comparison.

Step 8: Remove the Hold-Down Springs

• Use the brake hold-down spring tool to press in on each hold-down spring retainer.
• Turn the tool a quarter turn to release the retainer.
• Remove the retainers, springs, and pins.
• A hold-down spring keeps the brake shoe flat against the backing plate.

Step 9: Remove the Brake Shoes and Adjuster

• Use slip-joint pliers and needle-nose pliers to remove the brake shoes from the backing plate.
• Remove the star wheel adjuster from between the shoes.
• Disconnect the parking brake lever from the rear shoe using needle-nose pliers.
• Lay the old parts on the ground in the same shape they were installed.

Step 10: Transfer the Parking Brake Lever

• Use needle-nose pliers to remove the parking brake lever retaining clip from the old rear shoe.
• Move the parking brake lever onto the matching new rear shoe.
• Install the new clip from the hardware kit using needle-nose pliers.
• Move the lever by hand to confirm it pivots freely.

Step 11: Lubricate the Backing Plate Contact Points

• Use brake cleaner aerosol and shop rags to clean the raised shoe contact pads on the backing plate.
• Apply a thin film of high-temperature brake grease to only the contact pads.
• Do not get grease on the brake shoe friction material or inside the drum.
• A tiny amount is enough.

Step 12: Install the New Brake Shoes

• Position the new brake shoes on the backing plate by hand.
• Use the brake hold-down spring tool to install the new hold-down pins, springs, and retainers.
• Use your phone photo to confirm the shoes are sitting correctly.
• Reconnect the parking brake cable using needle-nose pliers.

Step 13: Install the Adjuster and Return Springs

• Apply a small amount of high-temperature brake grease to the star wheel adjuster threads.
• Install the star wheel adjuster between the shoes by hand.
• Use the brake spring pliers to install the new return springs.
• Use needle-nose pliers for smaller springs if needed.
• Compare your finished layout to the photo before installing the drum.

Step 14: Clean and Install the New Brake Drum

• Spray the inside braking surface of the new drum with brake cleaner aerosol.
• Wipe it dry with shop rags.
• Slide the new drum over the shoes by hand.
• If the drum will not fit, use the brake adjusting spoon to retract the star wheel adjuster slightly.

Step 15: Adjust the Rear Brake Shoes

• Use the brake adjusting spoon through the backing plate slot to turn the star wheel adjuster.
• Adjust until the drum turns by hand with a light, even rubbing sound.
• If the drum feels locked, back off the adjuster slightly with the brake adjusting spoon.
• The correct feel is light drag, not heavy resistance.

Step 16: Repeat on the Other Rear Brake

• Repeat Steps 4-15 on the opposite side using the same tools.
• Work one side at a time so the other side can be used as a reference.
• Make both rear drums feel similar when turning them by hand.

Step 17: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Install both rear wheels by hand.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern.
• Use the floor jack to raise your Tacoma slightly.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Tacoma fully to the ground using the floor jack.
• Use the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 21mm lug nut socket to tighten the lug nuts to Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

Step 18: Seat the Brake Shoes

• Press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Apply and release the parking brake several times.
• If the parking brake travel feels too long, use the brake adjusting spoon to tighten the rear shoe adjustment slightly.
• Recheck that both rear drums have light drag.

---

✅ After Repair

• ✅ Make sure the brake pedal is firm before moving your Tacoma.
• ✅ Check the brake fluid level at the master cylinder reservoir.
• ✅ Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area.
• ✅ Confirm the parking brake holds your Tacoma on a slight incline.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 100-200 miles while the shoes bed into the drums.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after a short drive: Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$650 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$280 (parts only)

You Save: $230-$370 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.