Wheel cylinder — removal and installation
Warning: The dust created by the brake system is harmful to your health. Never blow it out with compressed air and don’t inhale any of it. An approved filtering mask should be worn when working on the brakes. Do not, under any circumstances, use petroleum-based solvents to clean brake parts. Use brake system cleaner only!
Note: If replacement is indicated (usually because of fluid leakage or sticky operation), it is recommended that the wheel cylinders be replaced, not overhauled. Always replace the wheel cylinders in pairs — never replace just one of them.
Removal
1. Raise the rear of the vehicle and sup- port it securely on jack stands. Block the front wheels to keep the vehicle from rolling.
2. Remove the brake shoe assembly (see Drum brake shoes/parking brake shoes — replacement).
3. Remove all dirt and foreign material from around the wheel cylinder.
4. Disconnect the brake line. Don’t pull the brake line away from the wheel cylinder or you may find it much harder to get the line started back onto the wheel cylinder because of a slight bend in the line (see illustration).
i.4 Wheel cylinder details
1 Brake line fitting
2 Mounting bolts
3 Bleeder screw
5. Remove the wheel cylinder mounting bolts.
6. Detach the wheel cylinder from the brake backing plate and immediately plug the brake line to prevent fluid loss and contamination.
Installation
7. Apply a small amount of RTV sealant between the backing plate and wheel cylinder, then place the wheel cylinder in position
and install the bolts finger-tight. Connect the brake line to the cylinder, being careful not to cross thread the fitting. Tighten the wheel cylinder mounting bolts to the torque listed in this Chapter’s Specifications. Now tighten the brake line fitting securely.
8. Install the brake shoe assembly (see Drum brake shoes/parking brake shoes — replacement).
9. Bleed the brakes (see Brake hydraulic system — bleeding).
10. Check the operation of the brakes carefully before driving the vehicle.