Our rear passenger side brakes stick when you let off the brake pedal. We were told it's the brake cylinder.
What does it take to remove the cylinders? Do you have to disconnect the brake lines and bleed the system afterward?
The local shop said they would charge $25 to install them per wheel (plus $28 from CCOT per each cylinder). Is it worth it to try and do it myself (with the help of a mechanically knowedgable friend)?

How can I tell which one is going bad?

Originally posted by jeepps
What does it take to remove the cylinders? Do you have to disconnect the brake lines and bleed the system afterward?
How can I tell which one is going bad?

Like you said, you just remove the hydraulic line and the bolt that holds them to the backingplate. I just hone out the bore and put a rubber parts kit in them at $3.50 a pop. I have done hundreds of them and maybe only had 1 leak. You need to be sure that the adjuster is free and screws all the way in. Lube the threads with antisieze paste.

Yes, you have to bleed the system after you change/rebuild cylinders.

It doesn't pay to worry about which one is bad; just do them all.

It is simple to remove and replace the wheel cylinders, but if you have to ask... have someone who knows how to show you to adjust them and bleed them so you have good working brakes!

I had one leaking on the rear of my '79 FJ40. I don't mess around with crappy brakes. Replaced all four (about $200 from toyota -- I look up the part numbers from the fiche, so the local folks give me 25% off with part numbers & TLCA discount), replaced the metal lines (didn't like the rounded off fittings from a ham fisted mechanic not knowing about flare nut wrenches). New springs and retrainers (about $50).

Little tools I have are specific to the job. Still I managed to slip on the brake return spring, sending about 1" of it straight into my thumb!!! I know better, but was too damn lazy to grab the correct tool and tried to flip it back in place with a screwdriver. Dumb. :(

Basic tools as the jackstand, Big Friggin Hammer to smack the drum so it will come loose. Back off the adjusters in some cases,
and you can take a look. 10mm flare nut wrench to loosen the metal brake lines. Four nuts per wheel cylinder.

It is hard to know what to expect until you get into the drum and inspect them. For me I would rather spend $340 in parts and not have to mess with it again for a long time. Except you do need to keep the wheels adjusted.

Labor of $50 for an axle seems low. I do my own work, but to R&R cylinders, and adjust seems like more than an hour of labor.

I've heard mixed reviews about CCOT's inexpensive wheel cylinders. For me I don't have the time to do a job over, so I'd rather spend $$$ on OEM Toyota Parts and not mess with it again. Admitted I bought the Aisin Brake Master Cylinder from JTOutfitters, as it is an OEM part for a lot less then other folks!

Tom :usa:

it is really very simple process. just remove the drum, remove the brake shoes, remove the rubber boot on each side of the cylinder and work the piston out of the cylinder...clean the inside of the cylinder with a rag and some very fine sand paper (480 grit works well) clean and sand the pistons as well...put back together and bleed the system and drive...you dont need to remove the brake lines from behind the cylinders unless you plan on removing them from the housing...I just did this on my 40 and the brakes work fine...it's a good idea to adjust the wheel cylinders after you put them back together..
next project...get rid of those drums and put in 4 wheel disc brakes!:D

Some people have had good experience with rebuilding wheel cylinders or using the Taiwanese aftermarket ones, but I have had neither. The last time one of my wheel cylinders failed (about 6 weeks ago), I ordered a Toyota original one (good price from Rick D. on this board, TLCA discount and all), then installed it myself. There's really nothing to it and it's a GOOD idea to do it yourself, if only so you become familiar with the process (in case the next failure is in the middle of nowhere). Just a thought....

Originally posted by BigDave

next project...get rid of those drums and put in 4 wheel disc brakes!:D

The thought crossed my mind.
JTOutfitters has a kit for $399. Anyone install one of these? How is the kit put together? Quality?

Here's the link
http://www.jtoutfitters.com/parts/accessories/discbrake/index.html