Anyone know how to replace a rear wheel cylinder?

[tyro2001]

i am going to change my rear wheel cylinder today, but im not too sure about how to replace it. i looked in the haynes manual it dosnt really cover it much, my dad might have an idea but can someone shed some light of this operation?

thanks

PS. i have a 1984 318i if that helps

[chris3]

Its very easy especially if you have help for bleeding the brakes. If it were me I would inspect both rear brakes and if the shoes are past 50% life I would probably replace them as well. I would also replace the second rear wheel cylinder if it looks as old as the leaky one. Its going to be somewhat dirty so you might as well just get all that stuff replaced, the parts aren't very expensive. To do this job right you will need to do a lot of cleaning. You will also need to lube some specific points. Just keep the shoes very clean and you might want to get some emery paper and take the shine off the drum braking surface. The drums can be reused without turning them as long they are not heavily scored. You just need to brake moderately in the first 500 miles or so to allow the shoes bed in. Some folks will disagree with me on this as will all paid mechanics.

[RealBMW 02]

I agree about not having to turn the drums unles they are scored heavily. But you MUST replace the shoes if there has been any leakage, and you MUST replace both if you replace one, so that both side will stop evenly. If you do not replace the shoes the brake fluid that has soaked into them will heat during braking causing the brakes to possibly lock almost instanly when the pedal is depressed.

The brake cyinders are easy to replace tho. But remember to properly bleed the system when you are finished. You have to bleed the fronts as well not just the rears. Start at the right rear and finish with the left front.

[tyro2001]

thanks me and my dad replaced the leaking cylinder andthe car brakes are sooo much better then before. i feel lot more safe driving it now, i might do the other cylinder later or something.