🔧 Tacoma - Rear Brake Shoe Replacement

Your Tacoma uses rear drum brakes, so there are no rear brake pads to replace from the factory. Instead, the rear friction material is a pair of curved brake shoes inside each brake drum.

This job replaces the rear brake shoes, inspects the drums, and adjusts the rear brakes so the pedal feel and parking brake work correctly.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Brake dust can be harmful. Wear a dust mask and do not blow dust with compressed air.
• ⚠️ Support your Tacoma with jack stands before working underneath or near the wheels.
• ⚠️ Do not press the brake pedal while the brake drums are removed.
• ⚠️ Replace rear brake shoes on both sides together so braking stays even.
• ⚠️ Do one side at a time so the other side can be used as a reference.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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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
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Brake spring pliers specialty
• Brake hold-down spring tool specialty
• Drum brake adjustment spoon specialty
• Rubber mallet
• Brake cleaner spray nozzle
• Catch pan
• Dust mask
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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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
• Brake cleaner - Qty: 1-2 cans
• High-temperature brake lubricant - Qty: 1
• Rear brake drums - Qty: 2 if worn, grooved, cracked, or oversized

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Tacoma on level ground.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks in front of the front wheels.
• 🛑 Release the parking brake completely before removing the rear drums.
• 🔎 A brake drum is the round metal housing behind the wheel that the brake shoes press against.
• 🔎 A star wheel adjuster is a small threaded adjuster that spreads the shoes outward as they wear.
• 📸 Take a clear photo of the brake springs before disassembly. This helps a lot during reassembly.

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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 the truck.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Rear of the Truck

• 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 axle as a backup support.

Step 3: Remove the Rear Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket to remove the loosened 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 brake drum straight off by hand.
• If the drum is stuck, tap around the drum face with a rubber mallet.
• If the drum still will not come off, use a flat-blade screwdriver or drum brake adjustment spoon specialty through the backing plate access slot to retract the star wheel adjuster slightly.
• Do not pry against the backing plate.

Step 5: Inspect Before Taking Anything Apart

• Use safety glasses, dust mask, and nitrile gloves.
• Place a catch pan under the brake assembly.
• Use brake cleaner spray nozzle to gently rinse brake dust into the catch pan.
• Take a photo of the springs, adjuster, and parking brake lever before removal.
• Work on one side only. Leave the other side assembled for reference.

Step 6: Remove the Return Springs

• Use brake spring pliers specialty to remove the upper return springs from the brake shoes.
• Return springs are the strong springs that pull the shoes back after braking.
• Keep spring direction and location noted, especially if not using a full hardware kit.

Step 7: Remove the Hold-Down Springs

• Use a brake hold-down spring tool specialty to press and twist each hold-down spring retainer.
• A hold-down spring keeps each brake shoe pinned against the backing plate.
• Remove the retainers, springs, and pins from both shoes.

Step 8: Remove the Brake Shoes and Adjuster

• Use needle-nose pliers to disconnect small springs and the parking brake cable connection as needed.
• Remove the brake shoes, star wheel adjuster, and lower spring together if they are still connected.
• Set the parts on the floor in the same layout as they came off.
• Layout prevents left-right mixups.

Step 9: Clean and Lubricate the Backing Plate

• Use brake cleaner spray nozzle to clean the backing plate and adjuster parts.
• Use nitrile gloves and apply a small amount of high-temperature brake lubricant to the shoe contact pads on the backing plate.
• Do not put grease on the brake shoe friction material or inside the drum braking surface.

Step 10: Transfer Parking Brake Hardware

• Use needle-nose pliers to transfer the parking brake lever and any retaining clip from the old shoe to the matching new shoe if required.
• Make sure the lever moves freely after installation.

Step 11: Install the New Brake Shoes

• Position the new rear brake shoes on the backing plate.
• Use the brake hold-down spring tool specialty to install the hold-down pins, springs, and retainers.
• Install the star wheel adjuster between the shoes in the same direction it came out.
• Use brake spring pliers specialty and needle-nose pliers to reinstall the lower and upper springs.
• Compare your work to the untouched side before moving on.

Step 12: Pre-Adjust the Shoes

• Use the drum brake adjustment spoon specialty or flat-blade screwdriver to turn the star wheel adjuster outward a little at a time.
• Test-fit the brake drum by sliding it over the shoes.
• The drum should slide on with light resistance, not force.
• If the drum will not fit, retract the adjuster slightly.

Step 13: Repeat on the Other Side

• Use the same tools and process on the opposite rear brake assembly.
• Use your completed side as the reference this time.
• Replace the hardware on both sides if you have a rear drum brake hardware kit.

Step 14: Reinstall the Brake Drums

• Clean the inside friction surface of each drum using brake cleaner spray nozzle.
• Slide each brake drum fully onto the hub by hand.
• Spin each drum by hand. You should feel a light, even drag.

Step 15: Reinstall the Rear Wheels

• Install the wheels by hand and start all lug nuts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Raise the truck slightly with the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum, remove the jack stands, and lower the truck fully.
• Use the 1/2-inch drive torque wrench and 21mm lug nut socket to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs)

Step 16: Seat and Final-Adjust the Brakes

• Press the brake pedal several times until it feels firm.
• Operate the parking brake several times to help center the shoes and adjust the mechanism.
• If the pedal feels low or the parking brake travel is excessive, use the drum brake adjustment spoon specialty through the backing plate access slot to fine-adjust the star wheels.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Confirm the brake pedal feels firm before driving.
• ✅ Test the parking brake on a slight incline in a safe area.
• ✅ Drive slowly in a safe area and make several gentle stops.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking for the first 100-200 miles unless needed for safety.
• ✅ Recheck for scraping, dragging, vibration, or a burning smell after the test drive.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after your first short drive: Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs)

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $280-$500 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $55-$170 (parts only)

You Save: $225-$330 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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