Inspected the rear brakes during tire rotation to find one spring behind the adjuster wheel had snapped on one end. Vehicle: '96 Dakota Sport with 299,000 miles.

 

Just get a brake hardware kit. They are cheap and include all the springs and such. Since you have everything apart, slap some new shoes in there too. I'm incredibly chea....er.....thrifty but brakes are one thing I don't cut corners on.

 

Yeah, looks like those pads have lived most of their lives.

 

When I did mine I changed out the wheel cylinders too. I think I also got new drums just to make sure everything was new.

 

I tore up my brake lines last time I changed out the wheel cylinders. And I took every precaution I could think of. I think you have to plan on replacing/repairing brake lines when you decide to change out wheel cylinders on a 30 year old vehicle. Not hard, but a real possibility.

 

The brake hardware kit they sold me at Autozone has springs that are constructed in different shapes than the installed springs (including the broken spring). Going to find another kit. Not going to mess with the drums or wheel cylinders for now, but I did purchase new brake shoes.

 

Mine was new from San Bernardino area and garage kept up here. So I was luck enough that nothing I went at was rusted together. AFAIK it has only been left out in the rain since I owned it.

 

Yes, you were fortunate. My truck has also been garage kept and I live in the south. No such luck like you had. Mangle City.