Bad Brake Job Work...need some advice

[87_SR5]

I had the rearend worked on in my truck 3 months ago...and while they were at it they said they would do a rear brake job since they had to take it apart anyways. My dad was the one actually getting the work done...he was driving the truck at that time. Anyways, he let them do the rear brakes which included shoes and wheel cylinders (invoice: replace rear shoes, rear wheel cylinders). So I started to drive it since then. Well, maybe it started a month or so ago, the brakes started feeling weird...every once in a while the pedel would have less pressure. It got worse and worse and I started loosing brake fluid bad. It was leaking out of one wheel. Finally got bad enough for me to take a look a week or so ago.

It was leaking out of the wheel cylinder that they were suppose to replace. I took it off and took the cylinder apart. Turns out one of the seals in the cylinder was reversed...the lip of the seal was facing the wrong way, causing it to leak.

So now I am wondering if they just put kits in the wheel cylinders.... ...unless one of the new cylinders came assembled wrong. I can't say that the wheel cylinder itself looked new...kind of dirty, rusty looking, but that could be from the two months of driving...??? The shoes were replaced though.

Should I go back and explain what they did? I would have taken the truck to them in the first place, but I didn't want to risk driving that far with a bad wheel cylinder. What would you guys do? I was thinking that this could have been a liability issue...if I was to get in a wreck because of my brakes. But then I guess its my fault to not figure out the problem when I noticed the brakes acting weird.

The shop that did the work has a 12 month guarantee 100% on parts and labor. Should I try to get the money back for the brake job...since they were suppose to replace the wheel cylinders completely, not just rebuild them. I don't know...any advice would be helpful.

Sorry for the long post.

Thanks

[cam2Xrunner]

Have them redo the work and make sure they give you the old parts. There is no core deposit on wheel cylinders so they should not have a problem with it. Also make sure they put new brake shoes on since the old ones are soiled. Ask them to have a tow truck tow it to the shop.

[TRDTURD]

As far as I know, wheel cyclinders are not expensive and I've never heard of one being "rebuilt". It should not have been dirty and rusty if it was new espcially with fluid leaking all over it. They should have replaced all the other hardware too. The drum brake hardware kits are not expensive either. Also, your drums should have been resurfaced if they were not beyond the wear limit. They should never install new pads or shoes without resurfacing the rotars and drums on any vehicle. Good luck.

[reb]

I have rebuilt wheel cylinders and do not advise it. It is difficult to properly hone the cylinder so it will seal properly. It is much more satisfactory and not too expensive to just replace them.
If the cylinders show more rust than the brake shoes, I would bet they tried to rebuild them. I'd insist on replacement.

[87_SR5]

I guess I will go back and tell them what they did (or actually, what they didn't do) and see what they will do for me. Obviously they didn't replace the cylinders like they, themselves, along with the invoice, said they would.... they just rebuilt them.

As far as asking them to replace everything...I cleaned up the brakes and everything...and switched the seal around in the cylinder. So far I haven't had any problems with the brakes.

Thanks for the help

[karugs]

Since you've already fixed it, I'd say tell them about it when you get back and perhaps you could ask for a refund. Show them the brake fluid bottle you had to purchase and any evidence you could find like pictures. But if it's not that expensive I'd let it go and never go back to them again. Warn your friends about it (or post it here at TN what the shop is so others can avoid it).