Brakes coated with gear oil need full replacement?

just got a new rear axle seal installed at the shop today, there was a leak that got gear oil all over the brakes. the wheel bearing is apparently still fine. but they're telling me that the brakes on that side are going to need full replacement.. which means the other side has gotta go as well. can't you just take some brake cleaner and go to town on the shoe and drum? or do i have to drop the $400???

 

In my mind a thorough cleaning would do the trick...

But Im not a trained brake technician.

Welcome to TW

 

Sounds like they’re trying to just charge you more. Hit it with some brake cleaner and degreaser. A little oil shouldn’t ruin the brakes.


Edit: I stand corrected. I’d get a quote from another shop.

 

The oil soaks into the metal of the drum and shoes.

Also the bearings 100% should be replaced, they will sling oil onto the new shoes once replaced. Plus the new retainer gives the new seal a fresh surface to ride on. If you just change the seal the leak could return due to wear on the retainer.

Sorry about your luck. Make sure to check your diff breather valve.

 

thanks for the responses ya'll. looks like theres some difference of opinion here, others wanna weigh in???

 

If it was you doing the work I would say go for cleaning everything your only downside is pulling things apart again and changing the brakes when you still have brakes grabbing .

If I have a job like this replacing a seal that has failed for a paying customer !! I will not take the chance unless they state to only clean the brakes and drums it gets put right on the work order .

A business does not need a disgruntled customer coming back pulling things apart again what profit you made is gone.

 

agreed. once that rear axle seal goes, the oil contaminates your brake shoes. Sucks when it happens but it needs to be done.

 

Yes change the shoes. It’s a no brainer.

 

$400 for rear brakes???

Buy new Genuine Toyota Parts shoes and install them yourself. You'll be glad you did, and you'll save over $200.

 

Because the friction material is porous, it tends to absorb oil. You may be able to get it "clean" but I would venture to guess that once its hot again, you'll get oil seeping out and braking performance will seriously degrade.

I know it's $400 and money might be tight, but brakes are one of the more important things on your truck. As others have said, it may be worth looking into getting the parts and doing them yourself, some patience and a few cheaper drum brake tools go a long way.

 

Depends. You could clean them off but most people will say it won't help. I don't know if it matters all that much for the rears since they only do about 20-30% of your braking power. There's been times I've only cleaned off the drums with no issues, but it depends on how long the oil has had to soak into the shoe. Also they had to replace my drum shoes anyways because they screwed up the axle seal install the first time. So I got free shoes out of it.

Moral of the story - if you have a shop replace your axle seals, keep an eye on it for a few months after. If you see gear oil getting slung around again, they need to fix it again, for free.

 

I guess if the oil has only been on there a very short time, its possible that the pads didn't absorb much of it, but still.....brakes are rather important, why chance it?

 

If the drums are ok just replace the shoes. You'd be able to get the oil off the drum but prob not the shoes if its been soaked too long.

 

To change the rear seals you must press the bearing off, I would replace the bearing, seal and oring on both sides. I would also replace the friction and replace the axle breather on the diff, mine was plugged and caused both axle seals to fail. Just get some shoes from rock auto for 60 bucks, the labor on the seals and bearings is the expensive part

 

So wait, the shop spilled oil on the brakes, and they want to charge YOU to replace them?

F that.

Or was the leak why you took it to the shop?

That said, $400 seems steep. They aren't too hard to replace yourself. I can't comment (intelligently) on the bearing, but it makes sense that would fling oil on the new pads, too...

 

I just did this on mine. The shoes are ruined but you can just hit the drums with brake cleaner. New shoes and mine work fine now.

 

Replace the brake shoes

 

Shoes are done for sure.

 

thanks for all the replies ya'll. im a tacoma newbie but ill definitely be coming back to this forum for advice. whats the best brand of replacement shoes to buy???

 

Just had a rear seal pop on me last month.

It was because the breather valve was stuck shut with dirt.

Shoes and drum were soaked with oil.

You have to get new shoes because the pads will absorb the oil.

The drum you need to have it turned because the metal absorbs the oil too.

Get a new breather valve

Need to replace the bearing when you do the seals both or you will
be doing it again sooner than later