Rear Drum Brake Pads Uneven Wear

My dad’s rear brake pads have a weird wear pattern. The right pad on the right rear drum is worn way down on the bottom half. Wondering what could cause this.

 

I recently replaced my brake shoes and had a similar wear pattern. From what I read it is normal for the leading edge of the shoe to wear faster than the trailing edge.

 

Normal for shoe

 

Thanks, I was just wondering because the other side looked completely fine, front and rear pad, and on this side it’s just the front pad that’s worn and the rear is fine.

 

Seems somewhat odd to me that the bottom of the front shoe is worn a lot more than the top. But whada I know...

 

Normal wear for drum brakes.

 

That’s what I thought too.

 

I did rears about a year ago and do recall mine looking all funky-like too.

 

If the other side looked fine it might be because that side wasn't adjusted properly.

 

Does your dad regularly use the E brake? The early Tacoma's rely on the use of the e brake to adjust for shoe pad wear.
You can tell by the dog leg arm that has the 'R' stamped on it. This arm contacts both the adjuster ratchet wheel and the vertical e brake lever.
The later Tacoma's adjust wear by just the use of the brakes.

 

He uses the e brake anytime he parks.

 

That's good to do...

 

Learn something new everyday on TW

 

Could you define "early" and "later" please? Thanks, Stan

 

Since it's related, I'll post this here for those that would like to learn more about the rear brakes on these rigs.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/IJkVEBYSecs

 

And Yeah, that wear is absolutely normal. The front shoe on the lower half takes the brunt of wear.

 

I don't know the year of the change and is the reason I was vague...sorry. But what I have figured out is a rear brake system that has the e brake cable above the leaf spring is an 'early' system. It looks to be the same as my old 89 Toyota PU.

My 2004 has the e brake cable routed below the leaf and the bellcrank is horizontal. I call that a 'later'.
Here's a diagram of a 2003 Tacoma. Notice the Automatic Adjusting Arm only attaches to the Rear Shoe.

 

Thanks.