🔧 Tacoma - Rear Brake Shoe & Drum Replacement

Your Tacoma uses rear drum brakes, not rear disc rotors. That means the rear brake “rotor” is actually a brake drum, and the friction material is a set of curved brake shoes.

This job replaces the rear brake shoes and drums, then adjusts the shoes so the brake pedal feels firm and the parking brake works correctly.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2.5-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Brake dust can be harmful. Do not blow it with compressed air. Use brake cleaner and a drain pan.
• ⚠️ Work on one side at a time so the other side can be used as a reference.
• ⚠️ Rear brake springs are under tension. Wear safety glasses and keep your face back.
• ⚠️ Support your Tacoma with jack stands. Never work under or around a vehicle supported only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the drums are removed.
• ⚠️ Parking brake must be fully released before removing the drums.

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🔧 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 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)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• 10mm wrench
• 8mm x 1.25 bolts
• Brake spoon adjustment tool (specialty)
• Rubber mallet
• Brake cleaner aerosol
• Drain pan
• Wire brush
• Shop rags
• Mechanic gloves
• Safety glasses
• Dust mask

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Rear brake shoe set - Qty: 1
• Rear brake drums - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear drum brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• High-temperature brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner aerosol - Qty: 2

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park your Tacoma on level ground.
• 🅿️ Shift the transmission to Park.
• 🧱 Chock both front wheels with wheel chocks.
• 🛑 Fully release the parking brake.
• 🔧 Loosen the rear lug nuts slightly before lifting the truck.
• 📸 Take clear photos of each rear brake assembly before disassembly. The springs and levers must go back in the same positions.
• 💡 A “brake spoon” is a small bent adjustment tool used to turn the star wheel adjuster inside drum brakes.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Rear Lug Nuts

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each rear lug nut about 1/2 turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loosen before lifting for safety.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear of the Tacoma

• Use a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the rear of your Tacoma at the rear differential housing.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the rear axle tubes.
• Lower the truck gently onto the jack stands.
• Keep the floor jack lightly touching the rear differential as a backup support.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket to remove the rear lug nuts.
• Remove both rear wheels and set them flat on the ground.

Step 4: Remove the Brake Drum

• Make sure the parking brake is fully released.
• Pull the drum straight off by hand.
• If the drum is stuck, tap around the face of the drum with a rubber mallet.
• If it still will not move, thread two 8mm x 1.25 bolts evenly into the drum removal holes.
• Turn each bolt a little at a time using a 10mm wrench until the drum pushes away from the axle flange.
• Turn both bolts evenly.

Step 5: Clean and Inspect the Brake Assembly

• Put on safety glasses, mechanic gloves, and a dust mask.
• Place a drain pan below the brake assembly.
• Spray the brake area with brake cleaner aerosol.
• Use shop rags to wipe away dust and grime.
• Check the wheel cylinder at the top for wetness. Wet brake fluid means the wheel cylinder should be replaced before continuing.

Step 6: Take a Reference Photo

• Use your phone to take a close photo of the springs, adjuster, parking brake lever, and shoe positions.
• Only disassemble one side at a time.
• The forward-facing shoe and rear-facing shoe may have different lining lengths, so keep track of their positions.

Step 7: Remove the Return Springs

• Use brake spring pliers to remove the upper return springs from the brake shoes.
• A return spring pulls the brake shoes back after you release the brake pedal.
• Keep your hands clear of the spring path.

Step 8: Remove the Hold-Down Springs

• Use a brake hold-down spring tool to press and turn each hold-down spring retainer.
• A hold-down spring keeps the brake shoe attached to the backing plate.
• Remove the spring, retainer, and pin from each shoe.

Step 9: Remove the Brake Shoes and Adjuster

• Use needle-nose pliers and a flat-blade screwdriver to carefully remove the lower spring and star wheel adjuster.
• A star wheel adjuster is a threaded part that sets how close the shoes sit to the drum.
• Remove the brake shoes from the backing plate.
• Disconnect the parking brake lever from the rear shoe using needle-nose pliers.

Step 10: Clean the Backing Plate Contact Points

• Use a wire brush to clean the raised pads on the backing plate where the shoes touch.
• Wipe the area with shop rags and brake cleaner aerosol.
• Apply a thin film of high-temperature brake lubricant to the shoe contact pads only.
• Do not get lubricant on the shoe lining or inside the drum.

Step 11: Transfer the Parking Brake Lever

• Compare the old and new brake shoes.
• Use needle-nose pliers to transfer the parking brake lever to the new rear shoe if required.
• Install the retaining clip fully so the lever pivots smoothly.

Step 12: Install the New Brake Shoes

• Position the new shoes on the backing plate in the same orientation as your reference photo.
• Use the brake hold-down spring tool to install the hold-down pins, springs, and retainers.
• Make sure each shoe sits flat against the backing plate pads.

Step 13: Install the Adjuster and Springs

• Apply a tiny amount of high-temperature brake lubricant to the adjuster threads.
• Install the star wheel adjuster in the same direction it came out.
• Use brake spring pliers and needle-nose pliers to install the lower spring and upper return springs.
• Compare the completed side to your photo before installing the drum.

Step 14: Install the New Brake Drum

• Clean the inside friction surface of the new drum with brake cleaner aerosol and shop rags.
• Slide the drum over the shoes by hand.
• If the drum will not fit, use a brake spoon adjustment tool to retract the star wheel adjuster slightly.
• The drum should slide on without force.

Step 15: Adjust the Brake Shoes

• Spin the drum by hand.
• Use the brake spoon adjustment tool through the backing plate access slot to expand the shoes gradually.
• Adjust until you hear a light, even drag while turning the drum.
• If the drum locks up, back off the star wheel slightly using the flat-blade screwdriver and brake spoon adjustment tool.
• Light drag is the goal.

Step 16: Repeat on the Other Side

• Move to the opposite rear brake.
• Use the same tools and repeat Steps 4 through 15.
• Use the completed side as a reference if needed.

Step 17: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Install the rear wheels by hand.
• Thread all lug nuts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket to snug the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern.

Step 18: Lower the Tacoma and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the rear axle slightly.
• Remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum.
• Lower your Tacoma to the ground.
• Use a 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 21mm lug nut socket to tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern.
• Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

Step 19: Seat the Shoes and Check Pedal Feel

• Press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Apply and release the parking brake several times.
• If the pedal feels low, recheck rear shoe adjustment using the brake spoon adjustment tool.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Test the brakes at low speed in a safe area before normal driving.
• ✅ Confirm the truck stops straight without pulling left or right.
• ✅ Confirm the parking brake holds the truck on a mild incline.
• ✅ Recheck for scraping, grinding, or overheating smells after the first short drive.
• ✅ Re-torque the rear lug nuts to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs) after the first drive.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 100-200 miles so the new shoes can bed into the drums.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $120-$260 (parts only)

You Save: $230-$390 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?

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.