1992 Pickup Brake Service Help!!!

My 1992 22RE Standard cab 4x4 brakes appears to be making the
wear-indicator noise. This metallic scratchy noise disappears when I
step on the brakes. Odometer is at 77,xxx miles. I purchased this
vehicle used at 36,xxx miles.

Nonetheless, the sound seems to come from the rear driver-side drum
brakes! Do the rear drum brakes also come with this wear-indicator
noise maker?

Even with this noise, the brakes are sensitive, quick, and responsive.
I barely touch the brake pedal and the brakes come on. I suspect this
comes more from the front disc brakes rather than the rear drum
brakes.

I am a weekend mechanic with some mechanical skills (not great but
about average). I've replaced the radiator, and alternator on this
pickup before.

So my questions are:

1. Should I replace the rear drum brake shoes myself, or have it done
by a shop? I've replaced shoes on an older 1982 Datsun drum brakes
before many years back. Had drum brake tools then but not anymore.

I decided to do it myself because the last time I had a shop replace
the brake drum shoes, the braking was uneven. It took careful driving
and braking over many hundred miles before it evened out. When I did
it myself, I adjusted the shoes so that braking is even from the
start.

2. Should I also replace the front disc brake pads?

3. The manuals I've read so far talk about bleeding the brake lines.
I've never done this before. Is this fairly easy to do or not? Is it
necessary?

4. What tools should I rent or buy to do the job for a Toyota pickup?

5. Are there brake drum replacement kits that come with the usual E
or C clips and springs that may need to be replaced?

I don't want to remove the wheels, drum, and find out I need more
parts from the store! This is my only vehicle.

6. Any website with pictures showing in detail what I should do in
step by step fashion?

I've seen a picture showing how to remove the brake drum retaining
screws. But it is so unclear I couldn't even see the retaining screws
referred to!





Any tips for me on tackling the job? I've not done any drum brake
work for so long and never on a Toyota that I consider myself totally
ignorant.


Thanks in advance for any help!

Chris

"Chris" wrote in message

>
>
> My 1992 22RE Standard cab 4x4 brakes appears to be making the
> wear-indicator noise. This metallic scratchy noise disappears when I
> step on the brakes. Odometer is at 77,xxx miles. I purchased this
> vehicle used at 36,xxx miles.
>
> Nonetheless, the sound seems to come from the rear driver-side drum
> brakes! Do the rear drum brakes also come with this wear-indicator
> noise maker?


No. It sounds like something may be loose in there. I would get it looked
at before it really becomes a problem.

>
> Even with this noise, the brakes are sensitive, quick, and responsive.
> I barely touch the brake pedal and the brakes come on. I suspect this
> comes more from the front disc brakes rather than the rear drum
> brakes.


I doubt that. It sounds like you have a problem with the rear brakes.

>
> I am a weekend mechanic with some mechanical skills (not great but
> about average). I've replaced the radiator, and alternator on this
> pickup before.
>
> So my questions are:
>
> 1. Should I replace the rear drum brake shoes myself, or have it done
> by a shop? I've replaced shoes on an older 1982 Datsun drum brakes
> before many years back. Had drum brake tools then but not anymore.


It depends. Can you do the job yourself ? Do you have the tools ? Since no
one knows what you are capable of it's hard to answer your question.


>
> I decided to do it myself because the last time I had a shop replace
> the brake drum shoes, the braking was uneven. It took careful driving
> and braking over many hundred miles before it evened out. When I did
> it myself, I adjusted the shoes so that braking is even from the
> start.

You should have brought it back to the shop who did the work and have them
fix it. Or ouy could have adjusted them yourself.


>
> 2. Should I also replace the front disc brake pads?

Do they need replacing ? That would be the only reason to replace them.


>
> 3. The manuals I've read so far talk about bleeding the brake lines.
> I've never done this before. Is this fairly easy to do or not?


If you have never bled brakes before I would say don't do it. It is
relatively easy but it you can run into problems if you don't know what you
are doing.


Is it
> necessary?

No. It is only neccesary when the hydralic system has been opened, such as
when replacing a master cylinder or a caliper.



>
> 4. What tools should I rent or buy to do the job for a Toyota pickup?


The tools you need but don't have. Not trying to be a smart ass but it's
hard to tell what tools you have from here.


>
> 5. Are there brake drum replacement kits that come with the usual E
> or C clips and springs that may need to be replaced?

There are several levels of "kits" for the rear brake parts, depends on
what parts you need.


>
> I don't want to remove the wheels, drum, and find out I need more
> parts from the store! This is my only vehicle.

Then you need to take the drum off and inspect the brakes BEFORE you make a
trip to the store. This way you will know what parts are needed.


>
> 6. Any website with pictures showing in detail what I should do in
> step by step fashion?

A manual for your truck may be a better option.


>
> I've seen a picture showing how to remove the brake drum retaining
> screws. But it is so unclear I couldn't even see the retaining screws
> referred to!

?????? Maybe you shouldn't be messing with the brakes !!


>
> Any tips for me on tackling the job? I've not done any drum brake
> work for so long and never on a Toyota that I consider myself totally
> ignorant.

Yes, take it to a competent mechanic if you are unsure of your abilities.
A brake job may seem like a simple task, and it usually is, but if you don't
know what you are doing and your brakes fail it could kill you !!

>
>
> Thanks in advance for any help!
>
> Chris
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