How to Replace a Wheel Cylinder

Always wear safety glasses when working on your vehicle. Wear other personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary, for example latex gloves or closed toe shoes.

1.Secure your vehicle on a level surface, making sure your car will not roll or lean when jacked up.

2.Break the lug nuts loose but do not remove. Lift up your vehicle using a floor jack.

3.Secure the vehicle with jack stands on both sides for safety before starting any work. Do not rely on the jack to hold the vehicle up while working.

4.Remove the lug nuts. Remove the wheels.

5.Remove the brake drum. If necessary, back off the star wheel adjuster.

6.Clean the brake assembly using a wet wipe method. This method uses a spray bottle with water and detergent. Do not use compressed air to clean the brakes. Inspect the brake shoes for wear or damage.

7.Remove the primary and secondary brake shoe retun springs from the anchor pin and brake shoes.

8.Remove the adjuster cable and spring assembly. Remove the star adjusting screw and thread the adjuster all the way in.

9.Remove the front brake shoe retainer. Remove the front brake shoe and parking brake link.

10.Remove the parking brake lever from the rear brake shoe. Remove the rear brake shoe retainer and remove the rear brake shoe.

11.Unbolt the brake line from the wheel cylinder.

12.Unbolt the wheel cylinder from the backing plate.

13.Bolt the new wheel cylinder to backing plate.

14.Install brake line into the new wheel cylinder.

15.Apply white lithium grease to the backing plate contact points.

16.Reinstall the brake shoes in the reverse order of removal. Be careful to keep the brake shoes clean.

17.Repeat steps 5 through 16 for the other side.

18.Locate the brake bleeder valve on your passenger side rear brake.

19.Install a piece of clear plastic tubing over the brake bleeder screw and place the other end into a container ½ full of clean brake fluid.

20.Have someone slowly depress and hold the brake pedal.

21.Crack bleeder screw open.

22.Tighten or close bleeder screw. Repeat steps 19-21 until no more air bubbles come out.

23.Repeat bleeding process right rear.

24.Reinstall wheels, lower vehicle on to the ground and verify repairs with a road test.