Cracked Rear Brake Drum on Imported Toyota Hiace

Daron2000 on 11/01/2024 - 16:30
Last edited 12/01/2024 - 22:26

Hey guys.

So I’ve got a full time 4wd 2002 Toyota Hiace that is an import. We’ve just been told by a mechanic that the rear brake drums have cracked and he can’t find any parts in Australia and will have to order a genuine part from Japan which will take 4 weeks to get here at that. (Perks of having an import 👌🏼😅) he did try fitting a brake drum from a hilux but that didn’t work unfortunately.

Because I’m living in the van I can’t really wait around 4 weeks as I’m also in Tasmania about to go on the ferry back to the mainland. He said I could potentially get someone to weld the cracked brake drum for a temporary solution.

Is this stupid? Especially as it’s a brake component idk if it’s smart or if it will be fine.

Otherwise is there anything else I can do to source the part that a mechanic won’t really bother doing?

Any recs on what to do would be much appreciated, the part number is 4243126150

Automotive

Comments

  • mskeggs on 11/01/2024 - 16:43

    Is this stupid? Especially as it’s a brake component idk if it’s smart or if it will be fine.

    Hmmm.

    I'm not a mechanic, but I would ask "would this temporary fix pass a road worthy inspection?"
    If yes, I guess it's like retread tires - not great but not illegal. If no, then you could be in a lot of pain if you had a crash etc.

    • HeWhoKnows on 14/01/2024 - 19:08
      -2

      Just in case OP is still living in the past….

      All cars sold in Australia since 2016 are imported.
      Toyota stopped manufacturing cars in Australia long before Ford and Holden.
      I think HiAce were always imported anyway.

      So nothing new here.
      But maybe in Tasmania ????

      • Euphemistic on 15/01/2024 - 12:49

        Just in case you have any idea what you’re talking about, Toyota didn’t sell the vehicle OP has in Australia. Toyota make lots of vehicles that aren’t sold in Australia, but can be individually imported, normally as a used vehicle.

        I can’t be certain, but I’m reasonably sure you could never walk into a Toyota dealership in Australia and buy a 4wd hiace despite being able to buy other variants of the same vehicle.

        • HeWhoKnows on 20/01/2024 - 17:54
          -3

          Ive seen a few around

          But my point is that ALL TOYOTAS have been important for maybe 10 years.
          And very few made in Australia anyway.
          perhaps a couple of high volume models

          • Euphemistic on 20/01/2024 - 19:16
            +1

            @HeWhoKnows: It’s just semantics, but no one refers to a vehicle bought at an Aussie dealer as an import. Imports refer to a vehicle you couldn’t buy here and had to individually import.

  • CheapandUsed on 11/01/2024 - 16:43

    You might have more luck with a mechanic / parts back on the mainland.. if the temporary fix is safe (isn't the rear drums mostly the handbrake?).

    • Daron2000 on 11/01/2024 - 17:08
      +1

      That’s what I was thinking, but we’re pretty much stuck in Tassie, no ferries going for at least another month lol

  • Stewardo on 11/01/2024 - 16:44

    Have you tried sourcing the parts yourself?
    I’m sure your mechanic didn’t spend 3 hours looking.
    Maybe call some grey market importers and ask them for advice where to source the parts.
    https://www.edwardlees.com.au/service-centre/

    • Daron2000 on 11/01/2024 - 17:10

      I have had a brief look but to be honest I’m not too knowledgeable on sourcing parts. But I’ll definitely ring up some importers, thank you!

  • mapax on 11/01/2024 - 16:49
    +1

    It wouldn’t be the first time someone has welded up a cracked drum as a temp fix, disconnecting/clamping the rear lines is also sometimes done at the same time.

    • mskeggs on 11/01/2024 - 16:57

      Would save on tire wear too!

    • Daron2000 on 11/01/2024 - 17:14

      What would disconnecting the rear lines do? Sorry I’m not the most knowledgeable on this stuff 😅

      • pharkurnell on 11/01/2024 - 17:24
        +4

        stop the rear brakes working, giving you only fronts.. depending how good they are.

        adding you would lose insurance for when you crash it.

      • mapax on 11/01/2024 - 17:40

        It reduces the likelihood of the drum splitting and potentially causing a catastrophic failure because it was welded by a hack/farmer. I’ve never actually done it myself, just seen it on shitty cars in the bush.

  • billy72 on 11/01/2024 - 17:10
    +2

    join some imported car FB groups, there are often imported parts sellers there

  • Mechz on 11/01/2024 - 17:10

    Did you even try ebay?

  • pharkurnell on 11/01/2024 - 17:27
    +1

    Tried partsouq
    https://partsouq.com/

  • Ocker on 11/01/2024 - 17:47
    +1

    You can get one from USA
    https://autoparts.toyota.com/products/product/drum-brake-424…

  • pegaxs on 11/01/2024 - 17:55
    +8

    He said I could potentially get someone to weld the cracked brake drum for a temporary solution.

    Then he is a (fropanity) wit. Brake drums are made of cast iron and then machined. Cast iron is not easy to weld. Welding broken shit seldom aligns how is was pre-break.

    It would need to be welded, heat treated and then re-machined and then I would not trust it on a car. A farm tractor, maybe. An old farm truck, perhaps. On a road car, At highway speeds? (fropanity) no. And anyone who would put their insurance up to the test of welding a brake drum that explodes at 110km down the Hume, causing the van to lose control and kill a family of 6 going the other direction… Well, let's just say,. their insurance is better than ours…

  • payless69 on 11/01/2024 - 18:10
    +1

    Just buy a welder from SCA
    Then put a sign next to your van: Discount brake repairs fully guaranteed!

  • cashless on 11/01/2024 - 18:25

    Before accepting that it can be welded, find out what material the brake drum is made from.
    If it's cast iron, you won't be able to weld it. Cast steel is possible, but it would be a tricky job for a good welder

  • Sye on 11/01/2024 - 18:49

    I'm guessing it's 6 stud? Would a 2wd 5 stud fit? Would then need 5 stud rims.

    • Boumba on 11/01/2024 - 19:07
      -1

      If they're the same size, and just a different stud pattern, potentially drums could be drilled to the new pattern.

      • Sye on 11/01/2024 - 19:59

        Would replacing the 6 stud hub with a 5 stud hub possibly work? Would need to do the same to the front or have 2 different spare wheels. The fronts would need a rear hub due to the drive shafts? And that's hoping the drive shafts fit. Then would also need front discs to fit the 5 stud hubs.

  • Euphemistic on 11/01/2024 - 19:24
    +1

    Might be worth investigating brake swaps. Would be surprised if the whole unit could be swapped with something off another local Toyota.

  • racer1234 on 11/01/2024 - 20:24

    You may be able to find a second hand one in useable condition from a wrecker.

  • NevC on 11/01/2024 - 20:24

    Post your Model and Frame numbers here and I'll do some searching.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 11/01/2024 - 20:26

    Sell\Trade it in. You're probably near 300,000 km I'm assuming since your OG post.

  • Daron2000 on 11/01/2024 - 21:31
    +2

    Hey everyone! Thanks for all your recs and help! I’ve actually found the part I need. A business called Braut’s auto and spares sells the parts I needed thankfully. Waiting for it to arrive and then gonna get it fitted, will update if it actually fits 🤞🏼

    • brendanm on 11/01/2024 - 23:02
      +4

      You found that on Facebook didn't you.

      That's a scam.

    • altomic on 12/01/2024 - 00:56
      +7

      Braut’s auto and spares is a scam.

      Located in NSW?

      See how many parts are for oz made holden or ford?

      None

      Wouldn't a NSW based car parts dealer have a million photos for the million ford and Holden parts available for the million ford and Holden's in Australia?

      Notice how all the photos are different from each other - i.e. none them Have the same background. And any and all number plates shown are from other countries.

      Because they are all stolen photos.

      No location provided.

      Scam

      • Sye on 12/01/2024 - 01:24
        +2

        Wouldn't a NSW based car parts dealer have a million photos for the million ford and Holden parts available for the million ford and Holden's in Australia?

        Not even one broken down Craptiva, now that's suss.

      • Daron2000 on 12/01/2024 - 09:04

        How do you know though?

        • altomic on 12/01/2024 - 09:22
          +2

          Look at all the photos. They claim to have so much stock, so they must be be a fairly big place. Several photos show decent size sheds/warehouses full of parts. Pretty big right?

          If they are all that , then why does a google search yield nothing .

          Why do none of the facebook post photos show anything that indicates they are in australia? Why do none of the photos/posts include location details/phone numbers?

          Because they wait for people to contact them , they then do a search of where the person is and tailor a response indicating a "nearby" location.

          Scam

        • brendanm on 12/01/2024 - 20:21
          +1

          Common sense.

      • Daron2000 on 12/01/2024 - 09:13

        He’s given me an address and number so idk to me he seems legit?

  • NevC on 11/01/2024 - 22:06

    You do know both drums should be replaced?

  • ZloyKrys on 12/01/2024 - 07:36
    +1

    https://jp-carparts.com/toyota/part_search.php?maker=toyota&…

    They are Japan based and deliver with DHL, you can get your part in about a week or so. They are just a tad more expensive than amayama but deliver faster

  • Boomstick on 12/01/2024 - 10:20

    Recommend finding a better mechanic.
    Being a hiace, there’s 99% chance that you can change the hubs to suit a newer and direct import model. I would be shocked if Toyota didn’t have an alternative out there.

    As others have said, call some importers especially if they’re selling the same model.

    • Boomstick on 12/01/2024 - 10:21

      Should state, likely more expensive, likely need new wheels too, this is then a one time thing and never a problem in the future if you change it to local market hubs/drums

    • Daron2000 on 12/01/2024 - 10:49

      I’ve rang up a local wreckers. They’ve got an imported hiace 1997 model 6 stud drums. You reckon they will fit?

      • brendanm on 12/01/2024 - 20:27

        Look up the part number you supplied above. It lists the models that that part fits. Cross reference that with the model the wrecker has.

    • The Hawk on 12/01/2024 - 11:32

      I was thinking the same, a hub replacement is likely to be faster if you're struggling for imported parts, although more expensive.

      As for reducing future costs, it depends on how long you keep the thing and how far you think you're likely to drive in that time. Could be that you never need to replace this part again.

      Another option:
      Out of interest, a quick and dirty google search seems to say that part fits a Toyota Tundra in the good old US of A (and possibly a 4Runner too?). If that's true, being a "US Truck" I'm guessing that is about a million options for replacement. I've had stuff shipped from the US to Australia in under a week plenty of times too.

      • Daron2000 on 12/01/2024 - 17:36

        I won’t have the van for much longer, just finishing my trip around Aus in around 3 months and then selling it. I’ve had a look at the US parts, potentially going to go down that route, would be just about how quick they can get delivered, if it can deliver in under a week then I’ll probably just do that

        • nswnotill on 16/01/2024 - 21:10

          Did you do any good with brake parts on your grey import Hi-Ace?

    • brendanm on 12/01/2024 - 20:26
      +2

      Change the hubs? It's a live axle, to change the PCD you would have to change axles. To do that, axle length, spline count, bearing ID, OD etc would have to be identical between axles.

  • nswnotill on 15/01/2024 - 12:12

    Perhaps you should measure the vital measurements with a set of calipers (ID, OD, width etc as well as number of stud holes) Use these measurements to compare size(s) with other Japanese makes and models.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join