Brakes and Lugs

[David_T (MO)]

Had new rubber put on my '94 4x4 little Toyota pickup last Sept, no big deal.

Recently started to hear brake squeal and as I've 120,000 miles on her decide new pads and shoes were called for. Changed the front pads on one side, no troubles. Probably the easiest truck to work on I've ever had and I'm feeling pretty cocky. Moved over to the driver side and twisted off a lug. (^%$#@) Finished the pads in no time flat and put the wheel back on with the five remaining lug nuts.

Moved to the back driver side... and twisted off another lug. (%$%#@ *&^$#%$# ^%$#@$@! *&*&$# knuckle dragging impact wrench A$$ of a tire man.) Got the wheel off and can't pull the brake drum. A fair amount of surface rust on the drum and hub so sprayed both drums with WD40 and put the tires back on.

So here I am driving on five out six lugs on the two driver-side tires.

1) Is there anything special about Toyota drums I need to know (looks like the drum is drilled and tapped for a puller) or do I take down the old persuader (my 3 lb hand sledge) and give the drums a few taps?

2) I'm concerned I'll damage the bearings if I try and drive out the broken lugs with the hubs on the spindles but I'd rather not take them off if I can avoid it. Not sure if there is enough room to get the new stud in if I do manage to drive the old one out so may have to pull the hubs anyway. Any thoughts on this?

3) $25 for two new studs and lug nuts!!! Think I got a chance getting the tire shop to cover this?

Thanks!

[D'mon]

This is what you get for letting a "professional" touch your truck! There are a lot more idiots out there than skilled mechs who give a da** about a client's car. I had the exact same thing on my '87 right from the factory. From now on, take the wheels in to the shop in the girlfriend's trunk ( ).

As for getting a tire shop to accept blame, HAHAHAHA! I guess you could try, but don't hold your breath!

Be sure to torque your wheels when you install, 90 Ft/lbs for steel wheels, 70 Ft/lbs for aluminum. I had to fight to get my dealer to cover teh lugs and nuts on mine on a 6 month old truck. They gave me the parts, but wouldn't suck back the labor....I was young and stupid and accepted it. Now I'd contact head office and stop payments until it was covered.

I did the lugs on the truck, just remember to hit hard anddrive the lugs out quick. You can do more damage going tap, tap, tap than you do going thump! I used the new nuts to suck the lugs into place again, but I put some never-sieze or something like that to get them to slide in easier. Don't worry-they will never loosen on their own.

D'mon