How to Remove a Chevy Eight Lug Rear Wheel Cylinder

Many GM truck models, such as the Chevy Silverado and the GMC Sierra, have eight-lug wheels. The eight-lug wheels come equipped with rear wheel cylinders behind both rear wheels. The rear wheel cylinders are the main components that open and close the rear brakes toward and away from the brake drums. If the rear wheel cylinders malfunction or stop working, the cylinders cannot compress or open the rear brakes. Replace the rear wheel cylinders as soon as possible after they stop working or the rear brakes will not be able to function.

Instructions

Park the Chevrolet truck on a flat surface and set the parking brake.

Loosen all of the lug nuts from the wheel that needs the wheel cylinder replacement with a lug wrench.

Jack the rear of the truck up and place a jack stand under the proper rear jacking point. Lower the truck onto the jack stand and leave the jack in place.

Finish unscrewing the lug nuts from the wheel. Pull the wheel off of the brake drum and place the wheel near the work area.

Pull the brake drum off of the brake shoes. If the drum is stuck, use a rubber mallet to tap the back of the drum until it is off of the brake shoes. Place the drum on the ground.

Remove the top two brake shoe retainer springs from the top anchor pin and from the brake shoes with the brake spring removal tool. Remove the bottom two retainer springs with the brake spring removal tool. Pull the brake shoes apart and off of the backing plate. Place the brake shoes on the ground.

Place a drip pan on the ground underneath the wheel cylinder. Loosen the single hydraulic line fitting that is attached to the wheel cylinder with a hydraulic line wrench. Only loosen the hydraulic line fitting; do not remove it yet.

Loosen and remove the two mounting bolts on both sides of the wheel cylinder with a ratchet and a socket. Pull the mounting bolts out of the wheel cylinder and place them on the ground. Finish loosening and removing the hydraulic line from the wheel cylinder with the line wrench. Screw a hydraulic line plug into the end of the hydraulic line. Tighten the plug with the line wrench until the plug is tight. Pull the wheel cylinder off of the backing plate and discard it into the drip pan.

Secure the new wheel cylinder to the backing plate with the two mounting bolts. Tighten the mounting bolts down tight with the ratchet and socket. Loosen and remove the plug from the hydraulic line with the line wrench. Screw the hydraulic line fitting into the new wheel cylinder and tighten the line down tight with the line wrench.

Reattach the brake shoes to the backing plate with the top and bottom brake shoe springs. Use the brake spring removal tool to reattach the springs to the brake shoes. Slide the drip pan out from under the brake shoes.

Push the brake drum back over the brake shoes. Slide the wheel back over the brake drum and screw the lug nuts on tightly.

Jack the truck up and remove the jack stand. Lower the truck to the ground and remove the jack. Finish tightening the lug nuts down tight with the lug wrench. Start the engine and press the brake pedal five or six times to fill the new cylinder up with brake fluid. Turn the engine off and open the hood. Check the brake fluid level inside of the brake fluid reservoir and add fluid if the reservoir is low.