I am checking the rear brakes on my 97' Dakota, and found that one shoe is in decent shape but the other shoe is missing a part.

What might cause the problem? I don't want the replace the shoes then having the same problem again.

Thanks!


Update 1:

Thanks everyone for your kind advices. I guess I need to replace everything.

But most websites offer 2 options for drum brake parts on '97 Dakotas: 9" or 10".
So how do I find out if my brakes are 9 inches or 10 inches?

Thanks again!


Update 2:

Just as everyone said, there is a sticker inside the glove box. It says the brake size is 9x2.5.

Thanks, you guys are the best!

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Here are the pictures ... sorry forgot to take pictures of the side view but might do it another day.

The good shoe:



The bad shoe:





Final update:

I've replaced the wheel cylinder and put in new brake shoes.

98DAKAZ you are absolutely right. One side of the cylinder piston froze, it put the shoe in a permanent expanded position and that's why it's worn out.

On the other hand, the other shoe (toward the front) was rarely used because the spring on the crossmember bar was missing. Clearly the previous owner did a lousy brake job.

I am glad I fixed the brakes, the truck is much quieter now. But there were a few frustrating moments. If I had to do it again, I would've listened to other advices you guys gave me: invest in a flare nut wrench (3/8 size) for loosening the wheel cylinder; buy a drum brake spring tool.

 

It almost looks to me like only the one shoe is moving. The wear on the backing plate where the shoe sits reinforces that. It has been moving a lot, more than just you having to loosen the shoes to remove the drum.


The undamaged shoe looks almost unused.


It's usually caused by a frozen wheel cylinder. It is possible that only ONE side is moving.

 

Also check your adjuster wheel, make sure it's moving freely and the spring is properly secured to the latch that meets your adjuster wheel.

 

I second what both of them said. I don't see any metallic particles on the full shoe and I see plenty on the broken one. I would expect that bad shoe to be 1/16 to 1/8 thinner than the full shoe. Also, was there brake fluid sitting in the brake drum?

 

Like they say you have two problems a frozen brake cylinder and the self adjuster has never worked meaning if you have never adjusted the brakes they have never adjusted at all.

Replace all the insides springs adjuster parts everything and the wheel cylinders new shoes also.

The self adjusters never work on the Dakota you must adjust the rear brakes yourself.

 

There, fixed that for you.

 

I noticed something also

Now this may be common in the rust belt and may explain what I see in your pictures.

Your wheel studs the threads look rather worn out you may need new nuts or you may need to replace a few of the studs.

 

I'm in the rust belt and his studs almost look new to me! Lol

 

Thanks everyone for your kind advices. I guess I need to replace everything.

But most websites offer 2 options for drum brake parts for the '97 Dakota: 9" or 10".
So how do I find out if my brakes are 9 inches or 10 inches?

Thanks again!

 

I thought it was either 9" or 11".

Just by looking and judging by the year of your truck I'd say 9 inch.

Also, if you have 15 inch rims you have the 9 inch ones. (15 inch rims won't fit on 11" inch brakes).

And lastly, there should also be a sticker in your glovebox letting you know the size.