Thread: Mechanics

Fj40 here 1974

Failed warrant on brake imbalance. Is this an easy fix and does anyone want to fix it for me or suggest someone to do it? Obviously I’m a paying customer

Ignore the other fails, easy fix’s

But it's the opposite to the front brake imbalance - they should even themselves out haha. In all seriousness, if the drums and shoes are all serviceable most likely it's only a couple of flicks with the adjustment thimble to even them out. Can do it yourself easy as if you are happy doing all of the other stuff...

Had this on my ranger a few years back. Had the drums skimmed and new pads which sorted it.

The rear imbalance will not be just an adjustment. Possibilities are: Seized / leaking wheel cylinder, worn out brake linings/oil on the linings due to failed axle seal. Remove both rear drums and have a look. All will be revealed. Give the job to someone who has experience at this. Would offer to help but wrong Island sorry.

Well to be fair, there are a couple of other frequent visitors that can cause this issue as well. But you're right, a look at the rear drums should give an indication. I'd try the simplest approach first though on the off chance it is adjustment. If the vehicle is only irregularly used it could even be due to corrosion causing the imbalance. I used to have this on one vehicle I had where I used to have to click the handbrake on a few notches on the last block before arriving at the test station to get a bit of heat in. For some reason the left side was never even when it was cold and it didn't matter what was done to it. Had a rebuilt cylinder, machined drum, new matched shoes on each side, bled and physically cleared the lines - nothing 'fixed' it apart from testing with heat on it.

Before I did anything, I'd take it for a drive and give the brakes a proper hiding, then take it straight in for the recheck

Yes driven irregularly… brakes feel fine, compared to the no power steering the brakes actually feel really good…

Im not really confident adjusting things myself, and wouldn’t really no what I’m looking at if something wasn’t horrendously obvious, at which time I would probably need to take it to someone anyway.

Thanks for the suggestions to date and if anyone has someone in Christchurch that they recommend let me know

Try the adjustment.
Nothing to loose and might be all you need.
Mate was helping me do mine driving up and own the road outside home leap on the picks ,give it an adjustment, repeat.
Next minute 3 of the neighbours were queued up behind us with grins or WTF looks on their faces.

Use motortech new brighton Chris good guy and doesn't try it on at all

Originally Posted by PerazziSC3

Fj40 here 1974

Failed warrant on brake imbalance. Is this an easy fix and does anyone want to fix it for me or suggest someone to do it? Obviously I’m a paying customer

Ignore the other fails, easy fix’s

Attachment 250039

If on inspections everything seems fine and nothing obvious is wrong chuck the rear axle on jack stands and outside obviously so if it falls off your all good to
stop run, it up in 1st, or 2nd and watch the rear wheels in the wing mirrors and apply the brakes slowly and see how much pedal it take for each wheels to stop turning
if it is pretty bad as the imbalance sheet shows could be proportion valve if fitted to the 74 fj. Its one of those things that and visual inspection should show up a clue or 2
rear drums skimmed and new pads - still bad then wheel cylinders, still bad then check houses/hard lines and fluid condition all good then proportion valve, still no good, master cylinder recondition
pretty simple system not to many moving parts and anything that does gets replaced with new parts its good for the next 10 odd years so always that but might just have to take it too your nearest
brake specialist its right in their warehouse if you cant find any good buggers on here. I would come and have a look and try afew things but this week have a cambelt, water pump, trans flush, filters
diff fluids etc to do and new clutch and master cylinder on my cheap focus run around so could come have a look for ya next week wouldnt charge you anything if i cant fix it/improve it obviously other
then 30$ for diesel to get back home

Not a mechanic just done all my own automotive work for the last 20 years timing belts,chains, new cylinders heads etc

Yep , v8 swap time

Or Tesla swap

Originally Posted by dannyb

Or Tesla swap

It would be more reliable then

Originally Posted by dannyb

Or Tesla swap

repent you heathen !

Have an old Nissan which travels mainly on metal roads, usually cop rear brake imbalance for warrant. Good cleanout with compressed air and a bit of brake use before recheck always sort.