🔧 Tacoma - Rear Brake Pad (Shoe) Replacement

On your Tacoma, the rear brakes are typically drum brakes, which use shoes (often mistakenly called pads). This job involves removing the brake drum, swapping the shoes and hardware, then adjusting the brakes so the pedal feel and parking brake work correctly.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the truck on jack stands; never rely on a jack alone.
• 🧱 Chock the front wheels; you’ll release the parking brake during the job.
• 😷 Avoid breathing brake dust; use brake cleaner (don’t blow with compressed air).
• 🔥 Brakes can be hot; let them cool before starting.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 21mm lug nut socket
• Breaker bar (1/2")
• Torque wrench (20-150 ft-lbs range)
• Flathead screwdriver (medium)
• Needle-nose pliers
• Drum brake spring tool (specialty)
• Brake adjusting spoon (specialty)
• Pick tool set
• Wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• Shop rags
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake shoe set - Replace in pairs - Qty: 1
• Rear drum brake hardware kit - Springs/pins/clips - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 2 cans
• High-temp brake grease - Qty: 1
• Rear brake drums - Optional if worn/out-of-round - Qty: 2

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and put the transmission in 1st gear.
• Set the parking brake, then crack the rear lug nuts loose with a 21mm lug nut socket and breaker bar.
• Jack up the rear with a floor jack and support the frame with jack stands.
• Release the parking brake fully before removing the drums.
• Tip: Do one side at a time for reference.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the rear wheels

• Remove the lug nuts using a 21mm lug nut socket.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them aside.

Step 2: Remove the brake drum

• Pull the drum straight off by hand.
• If it’s stuck, tap around the drum hat with a rubber mallet.
• If it still won’t come off, remove the rubber access plug on the backing plate using a flathead screwdriver, then back off the adjuster with a brake adjusting spoon (specialty).
• Clean dust with brake cleaner and shop rags.

Step 3: Take a “reference photo” and identify parts

• Take a clear photo of the spring layout before disassembly.
• Use a pick tool set to point out the star-wheel adjuster and spring hooks as you compare side-to-side.
• Tip: Springs look similar but install differently.

Step 4: Remove the return springs and hold-down hardware

• Remove the large top return spring(s) using a drum brake spring tool (specialty).
• Remove the shoe hold-down pins/clips using needle-nose pliers and a pick tool set.
• Remove the adjuster and the lower spring using the drum brake spring tool (specialty).

Step 5: Disconnect the parking brake lever (if attached to the rear shoe)

• If the parking brake lever is mounted on one shoe, unhook the cable/lever using needle-nose pliers.
• Move parts gently—don’t bend the backing plate dust shield.

Step 6: Clean and prep the backing plate

• Wire-brush the shoe contact pads on the backing plate using a wire brush.
• Apply a very thin smear of high-temp brake grease to the backing plate contact pads only (not on the friction material).
• Spray everything again with brake cleaner if grease gets where it shouldn’t.

Step 7: Install the new shoes and hardware

• Install the new shoes in the same orientation as removed.
• Install new hold-down pins/clips from the rear drum brake hardware kit using needle-nose pliers.
• Reinstall the adjuster and springs using the drum brake spring tool (specialty).
• Make sure the adjuster star wheel turns freely (clean it with brake cleaner if needed).

Step 8: Initial adjustment (so the drum fits correctly)

• Turn the star wheel with the brake adjusting spoon (specialty) to expand the shoes until the drum slides on with slight resistance.
• Install the drum and spin it by hand: you want a light, even drag.
• Tip: Too tight will overheat the drum fast.

Step 9: Repeat on the other side

• Perform the same procedure on the other rear wheel.
• Use your completed side as the reference if you get stuck.

Step 10: Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts

• Reinstall wheels using a 21mm lug nut socket.
• Lower the truck and torque lug nuts in a star pattern with a torque wrench.
• Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs)

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✅ After Repair

• With the engine off, press the brake pedal 10-15 times until it feels firm.
• Apply/release the parking brake a few times to help self-center the shoes.
• Test drive at low speed and confirm normal braking and no pulling/noises.
• After a short drive, carefully check for burning smell or excessive heat at one drum (indicates too-tight adjustment).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$450 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $60-$180 (parts only)

You Save: $190-$270 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.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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