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Leaky drum brake

Tiny
ARIAGRACE
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 MITSUBISHI EXPRESS
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 173,000 MILES
Checked brake fluid four days ago and it was between MIN and MAX. Checked it today and it was bone dry. There are no leaks in or around any of the brake lines or hoses except for the rear left. The inside of the tire, the hub and half way along the axle is all covered in a gritty, oily substance, which to me looks like old brake fluid. I have never worked on drum brakes before, this is my first time. Just need some guidance as to what I should do. Do I pull it all apart and look for the leak and replace drum? Shoes? Help.
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Wednesday, April 25th, 2018 AT 4:29 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
You probably have a leaking wheel cylinder. Pull the wheel and brake drum and inspect the cylinder, it will be fairly obvious if it is leaking or not. If so, replace both left and right cylinders and I would also replace the brake shoes as they will be contaminated with brake fluid. If you do this job make sure you have the car on secure stands on a level hard surface, never work on a car just sitting on a jack. Make sure that you replace every component exactly as it was removed. Take pictures or draw a diagram. Make sure that the shoes are fitted correctly and you will have to re bleed the brakes as well. This is a very critical safety issue. If at all in doubt get a mechanic to do the job as one error and you may end up with no brakes putting yours and other road users lives at risk.
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Wednesday, April 25th, 2018 AT 7:10 AM

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