Parking Brake Adjustment

[AYM707]

1982 FJ40 Saudi Spec

My parking brake was a bit loose...so I decided to tighten it. While opening / removing the cover, a spring & 2 covers fell out.

When I managed to get the cover off, I noticed my right shoe was not connected to the wheel brake cylinder.

Not sure if this happened during the removing process. I am not sure where the spring / covers go, but there is nothing holding my right shoe to back plate. I cant see any screw / bolt that appears to be missing a spring? The left is securely bolted. Appreciate some guidance.

Also measured my shoe thickness :

• Left Shoe (top : 9.86 mm / mid : 6.5 mm / bottom : 7.19 mm)
• Right Shoe (top : 7.43 mm / mid : 7.5 mm / bottom : 8.84 mm)

What is the min thickness? Should I just replace these?

Appreciate some guidance.

 

[charliemeyer007]

Wow do you have a book. Even the chilton's covers it well enough. Free down loads here

Land Cruiser Factory Service Manuals (FSMs)

Factory service manuals (FSMs) for your Toyota Land Cruiser ! From the 1950s to the present!

www.cruisercult.com

Your spring and tab washer fit on a special fasteners. Then there are big spring that connect the shoes.

Hardware Kit, Brake Shoe, 58-80 FJ40 45 55

Hardware Kit, Brake Shoe 58-8/80 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40, FJ45, FJ55 Completes One Axle Aftermarket

www.fjparts.com

 

[gmr76]

Hmmm... I just rebuilt my drums on my FJ62 (they all look fairly similar) and there are lots of videos on youtube and write ups around on how to work on drum brakes for land cruisers. Id start with the Toyota manual as suggested above. If everything is in working order replacing that spring is a 5 min job (with all the right parts).

 

[rlong]

The thickness is “acceptable”, likely some would not, and some would, replace them. I would likely replace, particularly since I(well you) need to replace the springs and hardware anyway. If you run them you’ll want to check in a year or “X” miles depending how much it is driven.

 

[pb4ugo]

You need a spring kit. Your missing the pin that goes thru the backside of the backing plate on the right side. Then it goes thru the shoe and then thru the springs and washers in the cup. Just like the left shoe. One of the washers has a slot that the tip of the pin goes thru and then the washer is turned 90* and locks to the pin. The uneven wear is probably from the missing pin. Usually if there is a lot of uneven wear from the right side to the left side of the vehicle is an indication that the springs are worn out and not pulling the shoes all the way back. You will always have uneven wear from top to bottom of the shoe. The shoes spread out from the top 1st. The shoes shift/rotate slightly in the drum depending on how much brake is applied. The kit that Charlie linked to is the wrong one, you need one for a later or different model vehicle.

 

[pb4ugo]

The minimum thickness of the pad material is when the pad material is gone from the shoe and is metal to metal with the drum. You want to change the shoes b4 that happens. The drum has a maximum diameter and cant be turned/machined once that diameter is reached.

 

[AYM707]

Thank you @pb4ugo !

Even thou my hand brake was down / released; pulling the drum cover was very difficult. I used 2xM8 bolts to screw it out, but it pulled the shoes out with it. Amateur mistake, I should have loosened the brake from the spindle before pulling it out. Thinking that must have pulled the covers off the pins.

I'm going to replace the pins & covers, but springs / shoes look ok. Besides, my issue was the loose hand brake, no problems with general braking. I did notice that my wheel cylinder had a very slight leak, so now I have to replace it. I am assuming, good practice to replace both (left & right) cylinders.

 

[pb4ugo]

You'll probably have to buy a spring kit to get the missing pin. Unless you can find a used one somewhere.

 

[pb4ugo]

Come to think of it you might find a pin at auto parts store. Take the other one with you or measure it so you can match it up.