I'm replacing the driver's side rear wheel cylinder due to a heavy brake fluid leak. I have heard suggestions that I go ahead and replace the wheel cylinder on the rear passenger side. Is that second replacement necessary? Will everything be OK if I just replace the wheel cylinder on the driver's side? Thanks for your help.

 

Welcome to the forum

Its fine to do just one side but.......................if you are redoing the rear brakes, new shoes, then do BOTH because if old side does start to leak it will ruin the new shoes

The seals in the wheel cylinders deteriorate over time, and since they are both the same age..................but certainly a judgement call not a safety concern

 

Thanks RonD. I'm just replacing the wheel cylinder (not bothering with the shoes), so I guess I'll just do the one side for now.

 

So the shoes don't have brake fluid on them?

If they do they can smoke pretty good and if they should stick they can start a fire, just FYI, heads up
It can happen with leaky axle seals as well

But BOTH things need to happen, fluid leak and stuck brake shoe at the same time, so long shot, but not a no shot, lol

 

I imagine I'll have to clean everything up in there. Think I can clean those shoes with brake cleaner and dry them real well?

 

You can try, but I would NOT use brake cleaner as thats even more flammable than brake fluid, lol
The shoe are porous so absorb any fluids, but a quick clean and dry should be OK, its when the shoes have constant contact with the fluids that they absorb them, like brake fluid or axle oil sitting in the drum

 

Thanks RonD. This is why I came to the Forum--to make sure I didn't set my truck on fire.

 

Bookman, My 2 cents !

I'm not trying to out do The RonD, he is far too knowledgable, but the old rule was when doing the brakes, do both sides and do a complete brake job.

There are times when you have a broken part and all you are doing is replacing a smaller item, then one part is good but when doing wheel cylinders or Pads/Shoes... there are too many things that can throw the balance between the right and left brakes that dictate replacement. AND if one wheel grabs faster than the other... PROBLEMS can arise faster than you think.

Replacing just one wheel cylinder, can create an uneven pressure applied to the shoes and could make the opposite side blow out.
Replacing pads or shoes without wheel cylinders, this means you have to push the pistons of the wheel cylinders back in the Body of the Wheel Cylinders, placing the pistons in a worn potion which may cause a blow by, ruining all of the work you did on the brakes and you have to replace the pads or shoes.
More money, more labor, and more time !

Pads and Shoes, as RonD stated, replace them if they have brake fluid on them. They can get sticky, they can fall apart (old school) causing more problems.
Another thing... Brake drums and Brake Shoes and Brake Discs, when rebuilding the brake system, ALWAYS have the Drums and Rotors measured for thickness and resurfaced, noticed I didn't say resurface IF needed, a complete brake job, front, rear, or both, requires a clean flat surface to operate properly.

Just from experience, I have seen so many front or rear brake jobs done and have the vehicle back a week or two later getting the other end done because of uneven pressure cause a blow out in the system. It doesn't pay when talking brakes to do anything half way.

OK, I'll get off the Soap Box and let you get it done, but play it safe is the name of the game !

Ltr

 

Thanks Scrambler.