🔧 Tacoma - Rear Brake Pad Replacement

Your Tacoma uses rear drum brakes, so the rear “pads” are actually brake shoes inside the brake drum. This job replaces the rear shoes and related hardware so the rear brakes stop smoothly, quietly, and evenly.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support your Tacoma with jack stands. Never work under or around a vehicle held only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Brake dust is harmful. Do not use compressed air. Wet the area with brake cleaner first.
• ⚠️ Drum brake springs are under tension. Wear safety glasses and keep your face away from the springs.
• ⚠️ Replace rear brake shoes on both sides together so braking stays balanced.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the brake drums are removed.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required.

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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
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• Brake spring pliers (specialty)
• Brake hold-down spring tool (specialty)
• Brake spoon adjustment tool (specialty)
• Flathead screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Small wire brush
• Rubber mallet
• M8 x 1.25 bolts
• Brake cleaner
• Drain pan
• Nitrile 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 drum brake hardware kit - Qty: 1
• High-temperature brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 2 cans
• Rear brake drums - Qty: 2, if worn, cracked, deeply grooved, or out of spec

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Tacoma on level ground, shift to Park, and chock the front wheels.
• 🛑 Release the parking brake before trying to remove the rear brake drums.
• 📸 Take photos before removing springs. Drum brakes have several small parts that must go back in the same places.
• 🔧 A brake drum is the round metal cover over the rear shoes.
• 🔧 Brake shoes are curved friction pieces that press outward against the drum to slow the truck.
• 🔧 A star wheel adjuster is a threaded adjuster that sets how close the shoes sit to the drum.

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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 half a turn.
• Do this while the rear tires are still touching the ground.
• Loosen only, do not remove.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Rear

• Place wheel chocks tightly in front of the front tires.
• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the rear of your Tacoma at the rear axle area.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the rear axle tubes.
• Lower your Tacoma gently onto the jack stands and make sure it is stable.

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 aside flat on the ground.

Step 4: Remove the Brake Drum

• Confirm the parking brake is fully released.
• Pull the brake drum straight off by hand.
• If stuck, tap the drum face and outer edge with a rubber mallet.
• If still stuck, thread two M8 x 1.25 bolts into the drum removal holes evenly until the drum pops loose.
• If the drum catches on the shoes, use a brake spoon adjustment tool through the backing plate access slot to back off the star wheel adjuster.

Step 5: Clean the Brake Area

• Put on safety glasses, nitrile gloves, and a dust mask.
• Place a drain pan below the brake assembly.
• Spray the brake assembly with brake cleaner to wet and remove brake dust.
• Do not blow the dust off with air.

Step 6: Take a Reference Photo

• Take a clear photo of the springs, adjuster, parking brake lever, and shoe positions.
• Keep the other side assembled while you work on the first side.
• Use the other side as a map.

Step 7: Remove the Return Springs

• Use brake spring pliers to remove the upper return spring from the brake shoes.
• Use needle-nose pliers to remove smaller springs if needed.
• A return spring pulls the brake shoes back inward after braking.

Step 8: Remove the Hold-Down Springs

• Use the brake hold-down spring tool to press and twist each hold-down spring retainer 90 degrees.
• Remove the spring, retainer, and pin from each shoe.
• A hold-down spring keeps the shoe flat against the backing plate.

Step 9: Remove the Old Brake Shoes

• Pull the brake shoes away from the backing plate by hand.
• Use needle-nose pliers and a flathead screwdriver to disconnect the parking brake lever and linkage.
• Remove the star wheel adjuster and note which way it faces.

Step 10: Inspect the Wheel Cylinder and Drum

• Look at the wheel cylinder at the top of the brake assembly for wetness or brake fluid leaks.
• If it is leaking, stop and replace the wheel cylinder before installing new shoes.
• Inspect the inside of the brake drum for deep grooves, cracks, heat spots, or heavy wear.
• Use brake cleaner and a small wire brush to clean reusable hardware areas.

Step 11: Transfer Parking Brake Hardware

• Compare the old and new shoes before installing them.
• Use needle-nose pliers and a flathead screwdriver to transfer the parking brake lever to the matching new shoe if required.
• Make sure the lever moves freely.

Step 12: Lubricate the Backing Plate

• Use a small wire brush to clean the raised contact pads on the backing plate.
• Apply a thin smear of high-temperature brake lubricant only where the shoes touch the backing plate.
• Keep lubricant off the shoe friction material and drum surface.
• A tiny amount is enough.

Step 13: 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 hold-down pins, springs, and retainers.
• Use needle-nose pliers to connect the parking brake linkage.
• Make sure both shoes sit flat and straight.

Step 14: Install the Adjuster and Springs

• Clean the star wheel adjuster with brake cleaner and a small wire brush.
• Install the star wheel adjuster in the same direction it was removed.
• Use brake spring pliers to install the return springs.
• Compare everything to your reference photo.

Step 15: Adjust the Brake Shoes

• Use the brake spoon adjustment tool to turn the star wheel a few clicks at a time.
• Slide the drum on by hand and rotate it.
• The drum should turn with a light, even drag.
• If the drum will not go on, back off the adjuster slightly with the brake spoon adjustment tool.

Step 16: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 15 on the opposite rear brake.
• Replace both sides before driving your Tacoma.

Step 17: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Install each rear wheel by hand.
• Start 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 and Torque the Wheels

• Use the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to raise the rear slightly.
• Remove the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Lower your Tacoma fully 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 Rear Brakes

• Press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Apply and release the parking brake several times.
• If the pedal feels low or the parking brake feels loose, readjust the shoes with the brake spoon adjustment tool.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Confirm the brake pedal feels firm before driving.
• ✅ Test drive slowly in a safe area and make gentle stops first.
• ✅ Listen for scraping, grinding, or dragging noises.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for about 200 miles while the shoes bed into the drums.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after a short drive: Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs)

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $45-$140 (parts only)

You Save: $205-$310 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.0 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.