Symptoms
Pulling, a long pedal or brakes that need pumping, on a truck with four drums and no booster.
The fix, step by step
- Following an IH8MUD FJ25 Owners Group walkthrough: strip each backing plate and set all adjusters to minimum before fitting new shoes.
- The upper adjuster turns 270 degrees from its flat side and the lower one 180 degrees, with a notch visible from the back.
- Both shoes are identical, with no leading or trailing shoe.
- Lube the shoe contact points and the felt washer under the retainer, then fit the horseshoe clip.
- Hone the wheel cylinders and fit 1-inch cups.
- Refit the drums and pump the pedal.
- Then bring each adjuster out until the shoe just drags and back it off slightly: lower adjusters first, then upper.
Tools & part numbers
- Drum and hub tools
- channel-lock pliers (horseshoe clips)
- wheel-cylinder hone
- 1-inch cups (NAPA 1499 per the IH8MUD FJ25 part list)
- DOT 3 fluid
Where to buy the parts
Brake master cylinders and brake parts by fitment yearSpecter Off-Road ↗Amazon ↗
FJ25 brake pedal pad (014-37-FJ25)Specter Off-Road ↗Amazon ↗
Parking brake shoes, FJ40/45/55 1958–80 (confirm FJ25 fit)Cruiser Corps ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Toyota Land Cruiser J20 / J25 (FJ25) parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.