How to Install New Brake Wheel Cylinders

Inspect the braking system regularly to see that all brake components are working properly. When checking brake cylinders, make sure that the rubber seals are intact and that no brake fluid is leaking from the cylinder. A brake fluid leak could incapacitate the brake if fluid coats the drum surface. Moreover a leak will deplete much needed fluid, negatively affecting the entire brake system.

Instructions

Remove the brake drum. Release the upper spring by grasping one end of the spring with locking pliers and sliding it out of the retaining hole. Remove the spring from the other retaining hole.

Remove the hold-down spring from the center of one brake shoe, by gripping the washer with locking pliers, pushing in, turning turn, and then removing the washer and spring. (It helps to hold the center pin from the rear with your fingers.) Remove the hold-down pin from the rear of the brake assembly with your fingers.

Repeat the previous step with the hold-down spring on the other brake shoe.

Remove the brake shoes, along with the lower spring that holds them together, by pulling them down and away from the brake assembly. Do not remove the parking brake lever, but instead allow it to dangle.

Remove the brake line from the rear of the brake cylinder by loosening the nut with a wrench, taking care to catch the brake fluid that will drip from the line with a rag.

Remove the cylinder mounting screws from the rear of the brake assembly, using a wrench. Remove the brake cylinder.

Hold the new brake cylinder in position while fastening the screws from the rear with your fingers. Tighten screws with a wrench.

Compress both pistons on the new cylinder with your fingers, if they are not fully compressed (toward the center of the piston assembly), taking care not to damage them or get brake fluid on the rubber seals.

Attach the brake line to the cylinder and tighten with a wrench. Clean all brake fluid spills with a rag. Align the parking brake lever as it was when it was removed.

Place one brake shoe into position. Slide one hold-down pin into the rear hole and hold it steady with one hand. With the other hand, slide the hold-down spring into position on the front side. With locking pliers, press the hold-down washer onto the spring, turn one-quarter turn, and release the washer and locking pliers.

Place the second brake shoe and lower spring into position. Repeat the previous step.

Replace the upper spring with locking pliers, taking care not to pinch the rubber seals.

Replace the brake drum. Bleed the brakes with new brake fluid. Adjust the parking brake by engaging and releasing it until it becomes firm and prevents the wheel from turning freely.