What's involved
What this repair actually is.
In a drum brake, the wheel cylinder is the small hydraulic piston that pushes the shoes outward when you press the pedal. Old cylinders leak brake fluid past their seals, soaking the shoes and quietly draining your brake fluid. We replace the cylinder, clean up the assembly, bleed the circuit, and confirm a firm pedal.
Symptoms
How you can tell.
- Brake fluid wetness on the inside of a rear wheel
- Brake fluid level keeps dropping
- Rear brakes grabbing or pulling
- Soft or slowly sinking pedal
- Leak spotted during a brake job or inspection
If you delay
The leak soaks the brake shoes (which then must be replaced too) and keeps draining fluid until the pedal goes soft.
Educational estimate. Real pricing depends on your vehicle, the inspection, parts availability, taxes, and shop rates. Use this as a guide while you shop quotes.
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