How to Install a Brake Wheel Cylinder Repair Kit

Wheel cylinders are an important component of the brake system and can only be found on the rear axle where drum brakes are used on modern vehicles. The brake pedal will go to the floor if the cylinder leaks or is not properly rebuilt. The wheel cylinder repair kit includes a spring, two rubber cups, and two rubber end-cap dust boots. Cylinders can be rebuilt without removing them from the backing plate.

Instructions

Block the wheels, and place the vehicle in gear. Do not apply the emergency brake, since this will interfere with the removal of the brake drum and brake shoes.

Loosen all the lug nuts, a couple of turns only, on the wheel to be serviced. Do not completely remove any lug nuts.

Jack up the wheel to be serviced, and place a jack stand under the frame for safety.

Remove all lug nuts and the wheel.

Insert the brake spoon in the bottom slot of the backing plate, and loosen the star wheel adjuster by prying the star up or down to turn it. When complete, remove the drum. Pry the brake drum off If no access slot is provided.

Remove the brake shoes by removing the shoe retainer springs using the built-in tool on the handle end of the brake pliers.

Pull the old end-cap dust boots off the wheel cylinder; there is one on each side. The push rods will come off with the dust boots.

Push the aluminum cylinder puck into the wheel cylinder, and force the internal parts, two aluminum cup pucks, two rubber cups, and spring, out the other side with a screwdriver, or ratchet handle. Use a shop rag to clean up any spilled brake fluid.

Spray brake cleaner into the empty wheel cylinder, and clean thoroughly.

Inspect the wheel cylinder for deep gouges or scratches that may cause fluid to seep past the rubber cylinder cups.

Spray a lot of penetrating oil into the wheel cylinder, then run the brake hone in and out of the cylinder to remove any small scratches or grooves that may exist. Clean the wheel cylinder thoroughly with brake cleaner when complete.

Place the parts from the wheel cylinder kit onto a new shop cloth. Insert the spring from the kit inside the cylinder, then push the two new rubber brake cups, one from each side, into the wheel cylinder about a half inch. The cup side should face in.

Clean and insert the two aluminum cylinder pucks, one from each side, into the wheel cylinder cup side out with the flat side against the back of the rubber cup.

Install the two new dust boots from the kit, one on each side, over the wheel cylinder and into the groove. Then push the the two shoe push-rods, one on each side, into the dust boot. The rounded side of the push rod goes into the cylinder.

Reassemble the brake shoes, internal brake mechanism and brake drum, by reversing the steps in Section 1. Replace the wheel, and lower the vehicle.