How to Install a Wheel Cylinder
- 1). Place a floor jack under the frame rail near the wheel where you intend to replace the wheel cylinder. Raise the vehicle until the wheel is off the ground, then slide a jack stand under the lower suspension control arm. Lower the floor jack. Remove the wheel lugs with a lug wrench, lift the wheel from the hub and set it aside.
- 2). Locate the retaining clips on the outer surface of the brake drum near the wheel studs, which is visible after you have removed the wheel. Remove the clips by prying them off with a flat-blade screwdriver. Pull the brake drum off of the wheel hub and set it aside.
- 3). Remove the upper brake shoe spring with a pair of pliers and set it aside. Locate the old wheel cylinder at the top of the backing plate. Remove the brake line from the back side of the cylinder with a tubing wrench. Remove the wheel cylinder retaining bolts with a socket and ratchet. Spread the upper end of the brake shoes away from the wheel cylinder by hand. Pull the old wheel cylinder from the backing plate and discard it.
- 4). Spread apart the upper end of the brake shoes and position the replacement wheel cylinder at the top of the backing plate. Line up the mounting holes, replace the retaining bolts and tighten them. Attach the brake line to the back side of the new cylinder and tighten it with a tubing wrench. Replace the upper brake shoe spring with a pair of pliers.
- 5). Loosen the bleeder screw on the back side of the new wheel cylinder with a small wrench. Push the tube of a one-man brake bleeder over the screw. Pump the handle on the brake bleeder until clear brake fluid without air bubbles enters the brake bleeder reservoir. Remove the brake bleeder hose from the screw. Tighten the bleed screw with a wrench.
- 6). Open the hood and remove the cap from the master cylinder reservoir. Add brake fluid to the reservoir until the level reaches the full mark. Replace the cap and close the hood.
- 7). Push the brake drum back onto the wheel hub. Push the clips over the wheel studs until they are fully seated. Replace the wheel and tighten the wheel lugs. Raise the vehicle with the floor jack and remove the jack stand. Lower the floor jack and remove it from under the vehicle.
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