I've got another wheel cylinder going bad after less than 1000 miles and the brake fluid is likely on the brake shoes like the last time. I've heard that the fluid will eat into the shoes. Is there truth in this? Also, what about brake cleaner eating into them? When I replaced the wheel cylinders last fall, I put new drums and shoes on, as well, so I'd sure hate to have to replace the shoes since they're still new.

Thanks,
SnowDrift

I do not think that the fluid (or brake cleaner) "eats" the shoes.

I spray brakeKleen on shoes all the time with no adverse effect.

If the shoes are completely saturated with fluid, they should be tossed. However, if that is not the case, I would clean them repeatedly with brake cleaner and then use some 80 grit sand paper to see if the linings come clean.

Most likely, you will need to replace the shoes.

You really need to figure out why you continue to have such failures and are you absolutely certain it is brake fluid rather than rear end lubricant leaking past the axle seals?

Good luck.

I'm certain it's brake fluid. Thin and oily with no smell, instead of thick and smelling like a rotten corpse.

I'll know better what the culprit is this weekend once I get into it. I can't really call it "repeated" failures. Only had one go bad and the truck has 150,000 miles on it. This one almost has to be a manufacturing defect, since it's still new.

Thanks for the tips.

SnowDrift