You can just replace one wheel cylinder if the other wheel cylinder is still working properly and not leaking or stuck.
However it's best to replace the brakes wheel cylinders in pairs so that you don't have other problems later on.
You need to replace wheel cylinder if the wheel cylinder is bad or is stuck or leaking.
If you have a stuck wheel cylinder or the wheel cylinder is leaking and or not retracting and working properly then the wheel cylinder needs replaced.
The wheel cylinder is very important to stopping your vehicle as the wheel cylinder extends the pistons out to push the brake shoes out when you press the brake pedal.
If the wheel cylinders are leaking or not working then the brake shoes will not retract or will not extend out to make contact with the brake drums to stop the vehicle which can be dangerous.
It's best to replace the wheel cylinders at least every 2nd brake shoe change or every brake shoe change as they do eventually go bad.
However you can replace the wheel cylinders without removing or replacing the brake shoes as you can simply spread the brake shoes apart to access and remove the wheel cylinders.
Wheel cylinders are usually good for 5 to 10 years although some may last longer but they are not all that expensive and are pretty easy to replace.
You just have to also bleed the brake system after replacing the wheel cylinders to get the air out of the brake system.
You can bleed the brakes by having someone pump the brakes up and hold them while you loosen the bleeder screw on the brake calipers and the brake wheel cylinders.
A wheel cylinder is a component of a hydraulic drum brake.
The wheel cylinder must force apart the brake shoes and press them against the brake drum.
This generates friction and the wheel is decelerated.
If any of the wheel cylinders fail, it can affect the pressure of the system which, in turn, reduces the brake system's ability to slow the vehicle.
A vehicle with poor brake response will be significantly harder to stop, especially in heavy braking situations, making an accident more likely.
The wheel cylinder piston seal and dust boot are made of rubber.
These seals become brittle with time and can fail with exposure to extreme heat or due to natural wear and tear.
A stuck wheel cylinders can lead to the brake shoes making contact with the brake drum and causing the wheel to be tight which can lead to the brakes locking up and the brake drums heating up.
The average cost to replace your Wheel Cylinder is $108.00 - $136.00 for a shop to do the job.
Pricing may vary based on the type of car you have, as well as the type of (and quality) auto shop that you go to.