This procedure covers the removal and installation of rear brake drums on a 2018-2024 Toyota Camry with the 2.5L I4 engine, including inspection of drum brake components.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake drum × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and engage parking brake firmly
2. Place wheel chocks in front of both front wheels
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts approximately one turn while vehicle is on the ground
4. Raise rear of vehicle using floor jack at designated rear jacking point
5. Place jack stands under designated rear support points on frame rails
6. Lower vehicle onto jack stands and verify stability before proceeding
7. Remove rear wheels completely and set aside

Procedure

1. 1

   Release parking brake
   Fully release the parking brake lever or pedal inside the vehicle. The parking brake must be disengaged to allow drum removal, as the parking brake shoes are integrated into the drum brake assembly.
2. 2

   Remove drum retaining screw
   Locate and remove the small Phillips or 8mm hex screw on the face of the drum (if present). This screw is used for assembly retention only and may be corroded. Use penetrating oil if necessary. This screw does not need to be reinstalled.
3. 3

   Attempt initial drum removal
   Try pulling the drum straight off the hub assembly. The drum should slide off the wheel studs and brake shoe assembly. If the drum does not come off easily, proceed to next step.
4. 4

   Break drum free from hub
   If drum is stuck, tap evenly around the outer edge and face of the drum using a rubber mallet or dead blow hammer. Alternate tapping points around the circumference to avoid cocking the drum. Do NOT strike the wheel studs or use excessive force that could damage the backing plate or axle components.
   ⚠Do not strike wheel studs or backing plate. Uneven force can bend the backing plate or damage wheel bearings.
5. 5

   Adjust brake shoes inward if necessary
   If drum still will not release, the brake shoes may be too tight against the drum due to wear grooves. Access the adjustment hole in the backing plate (may have a rubber plug). Insert a brake adjustment tool or flat screwdriver and rotate the star wheel adjuster to retract the shoes. Consult service manual for direction of rotation for your specific model.
6. 6

   Remove drum and inspect
   Once free, remove drum completely from the hub. Inspect the drum interior friction surface for scoring, cracks, heat checking, or excessive wear. Measure drum diameter with a drum micrometer if available and compare to maximum diameter stamped on drum. Inspect brake shoes, wheel cylinder, springs, and hardware for wear, leaks, or damage.
   ⚠If brake fluid leaks are visible at wheel cylinder, or if brake shoes are contaminated with fluid or grease, additional brake service is required. Do not attempt to clean and reuse contaminated friction materials.
7. 7

   Clean hub and drum mounting surface
   Use a wire brush to clean rust and debris from the hub face and the inside mounting surface of the drum. Apply brake parts cleaner to remove all contamination. A clean mounting surface ensures proper drum seating and prevents runout.
8. 8

   Install drum onto hub
   Align the drum with the wheel studs and slide it onto the hub. Ensure the drum seats fully against the hub face. The drum should slide over the brake shoes smoothly. If excessive resistance is felt, verify brake shoes are properly adjusted inward.
9. 9

   Apply anti-seize and install wheel
   Apply a thin coat of anti-seize compound to the wheel stud threads (not the lug nut seating surface). Install the wheel and thread lug nuts on by hand to prevent cross-threading. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern by hand before final torque.
10. 10

    Torque wheel lug nuts
    Using a torque wrench, tighten the rear wheel lug nuts to specification in a star (cross) pattern. Make two complete passes: first to 50% torque, then to full specification. This ensures even seating of the wheel against the drum.
    ⚠️Improperly torqued lug nuts can cause wheel detachment while driving. Always use a calibrated torque wrench and follow star pattern sequence.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Repeat for opposite side
    Perform steps 1-10 for the opposite rear wheel to complete the brake drum service on both sides.
12. 12

    Lower vehicle
    Raise vehicle slightly with floor jack to remove load from jack stands. Remove jack stands and carefully lower vehicle completely to the ground.

Reassembly

1. Always replace brake drums in pairs (both rear wheels) to maintain even braking performance
2. If new drums are installed, measure and adjust brake shoes to proper clearance before driving
3. The drum retaining screw is optional and does not need to be reinstalled as lug nuts secure the drum during operation

Verification

• Verify all lug nuts are torqued to specification using torque wrench
• Pump brake pedal several times with engine off to verify normal pedal feel and height
• Test parking brake engagement - it should hold vehicle on an incline within normal lever/pedal travel
• Perform a low-speed brake test in a safe area to verify proper brake function before normal driving
• Listen for abnormal noises during brake application - grinding or scraping indicates problems requiring immediate attention
• After first 50-100 miles, re-torque lug nuts to specification

More procedures for this vehicle