So, I'm almost done rebuilding my '99 2WD 4cyl but have run into an issue with the rear brakes.

After finally getting my hands on a set of wheel cylinder links (from a '98 at Pull-a-Part) they don't seem to fit properly.

This is only my second time ever doing drums, but it's fairly straight forward as far as assembly. BUT, my cylinder links are sticking out too far, so much so that the forked bar (with the small spring on one end) doesn't even touch the other shoe.

The drum hardware is brand new except for the adjusting levers and their springs.
I rebuilt the wheel cylinders before this, they're gorgeous, working wonderfully, so I'm sure it's not the cylinders (they're only months old anyway). The links just don't seem to press far enough into the cylinder, no matter how much force I apply... it's got me wondering about taking the spring out of it so the pistons can move in further, but that may not fix the issue and just might cause another.

Anyone have any ideas? Here's a picture of what I'm looking at... the last spring has yet to be installed due to this obvious problem. Hoping to be driving the truck tomorrow or Sunday, so any help is greatly appreciated.

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If I was you I would go get two new pistons from a parts store that fits your truck and start again.

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barneycat11 2006 FX4

I don't think it's the pistons since they move smoothly with no hangups, wheel cylinder bores are smooth as butter... but I'll break it down and double check em to be sure

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Ended up leaving them out for now. Noticed that the manual shows pistons with concave, cup-like ends for the links to sit in... My pistons have a flat mating surface for them.

Sounds like you're right about the pistons... weird though because AutoZone shows these cylinder assemblies as being an OEM swap.

...I'll do some digging. Thanks.

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Update: Apparently for my model ('99 2.5L 2WD, standard cab step-side) the wheel cylinder links weren't included.

Got the truck put back together, frame-swap is complete. Brakes are good. Just have a fee things here and there to tighten (front bumper), replace (front and rear bumper, power steering pump), and diagnose (my cheap code OBD tool from Walmart is showing a fail for both the EGR and EVAP... although I'm not getting any codes at all... That's for a different thread though)

But if anyone needs some wheel cylinder links I've got a full set, will send them at the cost of shipping, I don't need em. Just PM me

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