01 Avensis rear drum brake cylinder advice

Hermy

Got into the car today and the brake pedal was sinking to the floor.

After a bit of work I found the problem.



In the attached picture you can see that the left end cap has come off the brake cylinder and is sitting under the right one.

I haven't work on one of these before so I'm just wondering what's the best way to fix it.

Can it be repaired or does it have to be replaced?

As it's brakes I'm guessing replacement is probably the thing to do.

CJhaughey

Replace, the same thing happened to me.
You will need new shoes as well.

Hermy

Yeah, the shoes are down to the metal so I'm gonna order them too.

Any reason why the cylinder would go like that or is it just wear and tear?

Would the one on the other side be okay?

Hermy

Also is there anything to watch out for with this job?

I've mostly worked with discs before.

CJhaughey

When the shoes wear down that much the pistons can come out of the cylinder due to the increased travel.
Mine did it on one side only, the other side was fine. I bought two wheel cylinders but only ended up using one as the other side was fine.
Its a pretty easy job hardest part is getting the springs in place.

Hermy

CJhaughey wrote: »

When the shoes wear down that much the pistons can come out of the cylinder due to the increased travel.
Mine did it on one side only, the other side was fine. I bought two wheel cylinders but only ended up using one as the other side was fine.
Its a pretty easy job hardest part is getting the springs in place.

Thanks for that CJ.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Avns1s

You're missing the retainer on the left hand side of the pic as well, so you better pick up a couple of these too. This is the most likely reason that the piston came out of the cylinder. It would allow the shoe to become displaced off the top of the cylinder. Particularly so if the shoes are worn.

Hermy

Avns1s wrote: »

You're missing the retainer on the left hand side of the pic as well, so you better pick up a couple of these too. This is the most likely reason that the piston came out of the cylinder. It would allow the shoe to become displaced off the top of the cylinder. Particularly so if the shoes are worn.

Thanks Avns1s, I see that now.

Would a motor factors sell them clips or would it be a breakers yard?

Avns1s

I've only had to replace them once on an Avensis and I got them from a Toyota garage.

You'll probably find some on ebay if you're not in a rush.

Hermy

I've got the new cylinder in but the pipe going into it is still turning even though the nut is fairly tight which doesn't seem right.

Am I right in thinking those pipes can only be re-tightened once or twice before you've to replace them?

Avns1s

It's not right.
The pipe should be held tightly once the nut is tight. You haven't cross threaded it?
Is the bore of the new cylinder the same as the old one?
The pipes can be reused without any issue.

Hermy

The pipe came loose in the old one as soon as I got a bit of a turn on the nut so maybe I just need to give it another half turn. I've ripped one of those threads before so maybe I'm being over cautious.

I've quit now but I'll have another look in the morning.

Hermy

The thread on the nut just needed cleaning up and it tightened down grand.

Cylinder and shoes are in so now I'm wondering what's the right way to replenish the lost brake fluid?

CJhaughey

Hermy wrote: »

The thread on the nut just needed cleaning up and it tightened down grand.

Cylinder and shoes are in so now I'm wondering what's the right way to replenish the lost brake fluid?

Fill the reservoir, and start bleeding from the furthest corner.
Keep the reservoir topped up at all times while you are doing this, having a helper is a big plus, if not make up a drain bottle with hose going into some fluid so it doesn't pull air in when you stop.

whizbang

You should buy a 1/2 litre bottle, and make sure to use it all!!

By that; I mean replace all the brake fluid. 17years is a bit old if its never been done before.

Bleed the brake you worked on first, keep pumping until you get clear fresh fluid. This may take 1/4 litre, dont be skimping..
Bleed the other rear next, shouldn't take all that much fluid to run clear. finish with the fronts.

Hermy

Great stuff - thanks again for the helpful comments.