2000 Pontiac Sunfire Brake grinding, now leaking

Tiny
ROBERTWHITIS
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 210,000 MILES
I have a 2.2L front wheel drive 2000 pontiac sunfire. Discs in the front, drums in the back. For a while now the rear right brake has been grinding while coming to a stop. Recently it began grinding continuously while the car is in motion. I took the vehicle to a repair shop and they told me that the cylinders, drums, and shoes needed to be replaced on both sides. I was hoping for just shoes, and perhaps just the right drum. They gave me a $561 estimate which I wasn't going for. I'm currently unemployed and without transportation it's making the job search even more difficult. I'm working with a very tight budget and just need to repair exactly what is wrong, and nothing extra. I'll be doing the repairs myself as well, being that the parts are going to cost a good bit by themselves. While trying to find a job and also trying to arrange some help from a mechanically inclined friend of mine, the brakes went out. While coming to a stop, the brake pedal compressed completely to the floor, barely stopping. I pulled into the gas station, checked the brake fluid and it was empty. I bought brake fluid there, filled the fluid reservoir, pumped the brakes with the car running 10-15 times, the brake fluid poured out on the right side, all of it, in seconds. My question is, from the described events, what exactly should I replace, just a list of parts to get from the parts house. I have the shop manuals from the manufacturer for the vehicle to help me with the installation of the parts. I know I need shoes, past that I'm not sure exactly what I need to replace. Second part of the question, is there a possibility that something small, like a line or connection, is causing the leak? If that was the case is it a possibility that I could replace the shoes and fix the leak and get the car back on the road for the time being without replacing everything on both sides? Thanks in advance, I know this is a lengthy question.
Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 AT 4:59 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
. I bought brake fluid there, filled the fluid reservoir, pumped the brakes with the car running 10-15 times, the brake fluid poured out on the right side, If you are talking about fluid leak out at the right rear. The right wheel cylinder is leaking
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Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 AT 5:39 PM
Tiny
ROBERTWHITIS
  • MEMBER
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Yes, the fluid leaked out of the right rear. Is the leak repairable by patching something or replacing a small component perhaps, or is it a 100% chance the entire right rear wheel cylinder will have to be replaced? If the cylinder has to be replaced, will the drum also have to be replaced, or can I simply replace the cylinder and install new brake shoes?
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Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 AT 6:26 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Can I simply replace the cylinder and install new brake shoes? Good choice also inspect the drum and all other components for wear and tear
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Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 AT 6:30 PM
Tiny
ROBERTWHITIS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for your help. I will have to inspect everything once I get the wheel off and look around. Do you know a ballpark figure of what the parts house charges for drums and cylinders? I priced the shoes at $30. Hopefully I can squeak by with replacing the shoes and the cylinder.
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Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 AT 6:37 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
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You won't know till you break it open and inspect -Drum might need resurfacing rather than replacement.
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Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 AT 6:40 PM

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