Replace Brake Seals on Drum Brakes

On drum brakes, the seals become worn with usage and may fail. To avoid this safety hazard, the brake seals must be replaced. Instead of paying a professional auto mechanic to do this, you can do this for much cheaper on your own. The following is a guide on how to replace brake seals on drum brakes.

Steps

  1. Lift the vehicle at the drum brake.
    • Locate the drum brake in the vehicle's manual.
    • Use a floor jack to raise the vehicle. Follow all instructions that come with the jack.[1]
  2. Inspect the brake seals.
    • Locate the brake seals in the vehicle's manual.
    • Visually inspect them to verify that they are worn or destroyed.
  3. Remove the brake wheel.
    • Locate this in the vehicle's manual.
    • Use a lug wrench to turn the lug nuts counterclockwise.
    • Take the brake wheel off and set it to the side.
  4. Detach the brake drum.
    • Locate this and the keeper bolt in the vehicle's manual.
    • Turn the keeper bolt counterclockwise with a lug wrench.
    • Take the brake drum off and set it to the side.
  5. Put a drain pan under the brake system.
  6. Detach the wheel cylinder.
    • Locate this in the vehicle's manual.
    • Twist the retainer bolts counterclockwise.
    • Take the cylinder off and set it to the side.
    • Any leaking fluid should be placed in the drain pan.
  7. Remove the wheel cylinder gaskets (seals) with a screwdriver.
    • Locate the gaskets in the vehicle's manual.
    • Pry them off with a screwdriver.
  8. Add new gaskets to the wheel cylinder.
    • Replace the worn gaskets with new seals.
    • Add them according to the instructions that come with the seals or according to the vehicle's manual.
  9. Put the wheel cylinder back on.
    • Press it on the brake system.
    • Twist the retainer bolts clockwise.
  10. Reattach the brake drum.
    • Place it on the brake system in it's proper place.
    • Turn the keeper bolt clockwise.
  11. Reattach the brake wheel.
    • Turn the lug nuts clockwise.
  12. Lower the vehicle on the floor jack.
  13. Repeat this entire process (optional).
    • Repeat all steps if there are multiple drum brakes that have worn seals.
  14. Bleed the brake system.[2]
    • Turn 1 bleeder nipple counterclockwise. Locate it in the vehicle's manual.
    • Put a drain pan under the bleeder nipple.
    • Have a helper push the brake pedal with his or her foot.[3]
    • Pour new brake fluid into the master cylinder while your helper pushes the brake pedal. The master cylinder can be located in the vehicle's manual.
    • Turn the bleeder nipple clockwise to close it.
    • Repeat this process with all bleeder nipples.

Tips

  • Work on the vehicle while it is cool. Wait several hours after the vehicle has been driven in order to ensure that it is not hot and to minimize your risk of being burned.

Warnings

  • Do not smoke or drink alcoholic beverages while working on a vehicle. Doing so could cause a fire or impair your judgment, which could lead to safety hazards.

Things You'll Need

  • Floor jack
  • Lug wrench
  • Screwdriver
  • Seals (gaskets)
  • Brake fluid

References

  1. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/automotive/tires/car-repair-car-jack-safety/
  2. ↑ https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a15125166/how-to-bleed-your-brakes/
  3. ↑ https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/a1495/how-to-bleed-brakes/
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