wheel cylinder

[jccrane]

hey guys i was just wondering if any of you know anything about replacing the rear wheel cylinder on the driver's side of a 2000 altima? thanks alot!

[JustSayGo]

What do you want to know?

If the wheel cyl is leaking the brake fluid damages the brake lining on the shoes. You should replace shoes and wheel cyls on both sides because shoes come in a set for both sides and will have different lining compund than the old shoes. There is no way to remove all of the fluid that soaks into brake lining.

If one w/cyl leaked the other may also in a short time if it is not seaping already.

Contamination of brake fluid will cause leaks. Flush your hydraulic system with clean brake fluid.

[jccrane]

thanks for the advice, but i was gonna see if anyone knows how to replace the wheel cylinder, i want to do it myself but don't know how.

[jccrane]

also, how do i flush the brake system?

[JustSayGo]

Search 2000 Altima Repair Manual. Chilton and Haynes have pictures worth 1000's of words and detailed instructions. Haynes 72015 is about $14 + shipping at rockauto.com or $17 & free shipping at Amazon.

To replace a wheel cyl you raise and safely suport the vehicle, remove the wheel, remove the brake drum (there are screws that can be difficult to remove that hold the drum on, then use bolts to pull the drum loose, use PB Blaster for the rust), you may need to back off the adjustment on the shoes to let the ridge worn in most drums to pass the brake shoes w/o hanging up. Brake fluid causes brake lining to swell. After removing the drum remove the top return spring from the shoes. Now you can remove the hydraulic brake line and the bolts that hold the w/cyl to the backing plate. Thread the fitting on the hydraulic line several turns into the new w/cyl with your fingers before putting the bolts in to secure it to the backing plate. Tighten the line after the bolts are tight. Re-assemble the shoe return spring and drum. You will need to bleed the rear brakes.

Flushing the system is removing the old fluid and washing it out with clean brake fluid by pushing clean brake fluid through the system the same way as bleeding air from the system. Pictures in the repair manual will help a lot. The cost of a repair manual is recovered with each job you consider doing yourself.