Drum Brake Shoes - Rear

Replace rear drum brake shoes on the 2019-2024 Toyota RAV4 2.5L I4 FWD, including inspection of wheel cylinders, springs, and adjustment hardware.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake shoe set (left and right) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Brake hardware kit with springs × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Brake drum (if scored or worn) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Wheel cylinder (if leaking) × 2 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• DOT 3 Brake Fluid — 0.5 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground, engage parking brake, and place transmission in Park
2. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
3. Raise rear of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-specified lift points
4. Remove rear wheels completely
5. Release parking brake to allow drums to rotate freely during removal
6. Take photos of brake assembly before disassembly for reference during reassembly

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake drum
   Remove the drum retaining screw if present. Pull the brake drum straight off the hub. If drum is stuck due to rust or brake shoe contact, use a rubber mallet to tap around the outer edge. If still stuck, locate the two threaded holes in the drum face and thread in M8 bolts evenly to push the drum off. If shoes are contacting drum, access the adjuster through the backing plate inspection hole and use a brake adjusting spoon to turn the star wheel and retract the shoes.
   ⚠If drum is severely rusted or difficult to remove, do not force it. Excessive force can damage the hub or backing plate.
2. 2

   Inspect drum and measure
   Clean the drum interior with brake cleaner. Inspect for scoring, cracks, heat discoloration, or uneven wear. Measure the inside diameter with a drum gauge or micrometer. Maximum drum diameter is typically stamped on the drum face. If drum exceeds maximum diameter or shows deep scoring (greater than 0.060 inches), replace the drum. Check backing plate for fluid leaks from wheel cylinder.
   ⚠Cracked or excessively worn drums must be replaced. Do not attempt to machine beyond maximum diameter specification.
3. 3

   Remove hold-down springs and pins
   Using the hold-down spring tool, compress and rotate each hold-down spring cup 90 degrees to release from the pin. There are typically two hold-down assemblies per wheel. Remove the spring, cup, and pin from each shoe. Keep hardware organized as some components may be side-specific.
   ⚠Hold-down springs are under tension. Use proper tool and maintain control during removal to prevent springs from flying off.
4. 4

   Remove upper return spring
   Using the brake spring tool, unhook the upper return spring that connects the tops of the primary and secondary shoes. This is typically a heavy-gauge spring. Note the spring position and orientation for reassembly. Remove the spring carefully and set aside.
   ⚠️Return springs are under extreme tension. Keep hands and face clear of spring path during removal. Use appropriate spring tool, not pliers.
5. 5

   Disconnect parking brake cable
   Identify the parking brake cable connection at the brake lever on the secondary (rear) shoe. Remove the cable from the parking brake lever, typically by unhooking or sliding off depending on design. Note the routing and connection method for reassembly.
   ℹ️Take a clear photo of parking brake cable routing before removal. Incorrect routing can cause parking brake malfunction.
6. 6

   Remove shoes and lower return spring
   Remove the lower return spring connecting the bottoms of the shoes. Remove the automatic adjuster assembly (consists of adjuster lever, spring, and cable or link). Separate the shoes from the backing plate, noting the position of the adjuster screw/star wheel assembly between the shoes. Keep primary (front) and secondary (rear) shoes identified as they are different sizes.
   ℹ️Primary shoe typically has shorter lining than secondary shoe. Mixing them will cause poor brake performance.
7. 7

   Inspect wheel cylinder and backing plate
   Inspect the wheel cylinder for brake fluid leaks around the dust boots. Pull back boots slightly to check for fluid. If wet, replace wheel cylinder and plan to bleed brakes. Check backing plate for rust, damage, and smooth shoe contact pads. Clean backing plate thoroughly with brake cleaner and wire brush. Inspect all springs for stretching, damage, or heat discoloration. Replace hardware kit if any components are questionable.
   ⚠A leaking wheel cylinder will contaminate new brake shoes and cause brake failure. If cylinder is leaking, it must be replaced before installing new shoes.
8. 8

   Prepare new shoes and hardware
   Clean the threads of the adjuster screw/star wheel assembly with wire brush and apply a thin coat of high-temperature brake grease to the threads. Apply a thin layer of brake grease to the six raised contact pads on the backing plate where shoes will rest (do not get grease on friction surface). Verify new shoes match old shoes in size and mounting hole positions. Transfer parking brake lever to new secondary shoe if not pre-installed.
   ⚠Use only high-temperature brake grease on backing plate pads. Never allow grease to contact brake shoe friction material.
9. 9

   Install new shoes with adjuster
   Position the adjuster screw between the new shoes in the same orientation as removal (star wheel typically faces backing plate). Install the lower return spring connecting the bottoms of the shoes. Position the shoe assembly on the backing plate, engaging the wheel cylinder pistons in the shoe slots at the top and the anchor pin or parking brake mechanism at the bottom. Reconnect parking brake cable to lever on secondary shoe.
   ℹ️Adjuster orientation is critical. Star wheel must be accessible through the backing plate adjustment hole. Verify against reference photos.
10. 10

    Install hold-down springs
    Install hold-down pins through backing plate and shoes. Place cups and springs over pins. Using hold-down spring tool, compress each spring and rotate cup 90 degrees to lock onto pin. Ensure shoes are properly seated against backing plate contact pads and centered on the assembly.
11. 11

    Install upper return spring and adjuster components
    Install the upper return spring between the tops of the shoes. Install the adjuster cable or link, adjuster lever, and adjuster spring according to your reference photos. The adjuster mechanism should move freely and contact the star wheel properly. Verify all springs and hardware are correctly positioned per OEM configuration.
    ⚠Incorrect adjuster installation will prevent automatic adjustment, leading to low brake pedal and reduced braking effectiveness.
12. 12

    Adjust brake shoes initially
    Using brake adjusting spoon through the backing plate access hole, rotate the star wheel to expand the shoes until they drag slightly when drum is test-fitted. Then back off the star wheel approximately 8-10 clicks until drum rotates freely with slight drag. The drum should require moderate effort to install but rotate with minimal resistance once in place.
    ℹ️Initial adjustment is critical. Too tight will cause overheating and premature wear. Too loose will result in excessive pedal travel.
13. 13

    Install brake drum
    Clean hub surface and inside of drum with brake cleaner. Install drum over shoes and onto hub. Install drum retaining screw if equipped (hand tight only, not a critical fastener). Verify drum rotates freely without excessive drag. Repeat entire procedure on opposite rear wheel.
14. 14

    Install wheels and perform final adjustments
    Install rear wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts in star pattern. Lower vehicle to ground and torque lug nuts to specification in star pattern. With vehicle on ground, pump brake pedal slowly 10-15 times to seat shoes and activate automatic adjusters. Check brake pedal feel - it should be firm within 3-4 pumps. If wheel cylinder was replaced, bleed brake system starting with wheel farthest from master cylinder.
    ⚠Do not drive vehicle until brake pedal is verified to be firm and braking effectiveness is confirmed in a safe environment.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Torque wheel lug nuts to 140 Nm (103 lb-ft) in star pattern after vehicle is lowered to ground
2. Pump brake pedal slowly until firm before attempting to move vehicle
3. If brake fluid level is low, top off with DOT 3 brake fluid to MAX line
4. Test parking brake engagement - should hold vehicle on incline within 5-8 clicks

Verification

• Start vehicle and pump brake pedal - should achieve firm pedal within 3-4 pumps
• Check for brake fluid leaks around wheel cylinder and backing plate
• Test drive in safe area at low speed (under 15 mph) - verify brakes engage smoothly without pulling to one side
• Perform several moderate stops to verify proper brake function before returning to normal driving
• After 50-100 miles, re-check brake adjustment through backing plate access hole if pedal feel degrades
• Verify parking brake holds vehicle on incline and releases completely without drag
• Follow break-in procedure: avoid hard braking for first 200 miles to allow proper shoe bedding

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