So while I was replacing my shocks over the weekend I noticed I had a wheel cylinder leaking from the left rear drum. I vowed not to do brakes anymore cause I'm getting lazy and would prefer to pay a shop or so I thought. I took the thing to CarX (Home of the $89 per axle job). They quoted me $475! WTF? I said no thanks and then they said they could do it for $375, lol. Well I took the written estimate and left. I headed to the parts store and bought everything to include new drums, wheel cylinders, fluid and the parts bag for $150. I don't mind paying the going labor rate but these guys wanted to charge me double for parts. So anyway, I worked for myself today and made $200-$300. Not bad for a few hours work. Drum brakes do suck though.......

 

Drum brakes aren't so bad if you have the proper tools to do them, saves the skin on the knuckles.

 

Yeah I still have the brake tools which definitely make things easier. I didn't like the fact I had to install the press pin into each rear shoe though. I had to use a center punch and hammer. What a pain in the butt. They should of installed those at the factory.

 

I hear that man. I hate doing drum brakes, but I hate paying people to do work on my Jeep even more haha. I took me 4 hours to do one drum, without proper tools, and I had never done it before. Lets just say it was a good experience. I think the only thing I will never do again is ball joints. I'll pay to get them done.

 

It depends on the shoes you get. I got Wagner Thermo-quiets last time I replaced mine and they had the pins installed already.

 

That's good info, thanks I'll remember that next time.