Toyota Tacoma Rear Brake Shoes 2005-2023 - Bosch BS871 vs Power Stop B871 Buying Guide

By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse

Every 2005-2023 Toyota Tacoma from a base 2WD to a TRD Off-Road rides on the same rear drum brake setup. Tacoma is one of the last mid-size trucks Toyota kept on rear drums instead of moving to rear disc. That is not a downgrade - the drum brake works fine as the parking brake on this platform and holds up for 80,000 to 150,000 miles under normal driving. This guide covers when to replace, which shoe shape (BS871 / B871) fits your Tacoma, and the two aftermarket shoe options every serious independent Toyota shop keeps on the shelf.

How to Tell Your Tacoma Rear Shoes Are Worn

Rear drum shoes wear more slowly than front disc pads because the rear brake carries less braking force. But they do wear out, and Tacoma owners typically catch it by one of these five signs:

• Parking brake pedal or lever travels further than it used to. If your parking brake used to hold at three clicks and now needs five or six, the rear shoes have worn thin and lost contact with the drum face.
• Squeaking or grinding from the rear only under light braking. Rear shoes with worn friction material and exposed rivet heads scrape the drum.
• Uneven rear brake heat. After a highway drive, touch the rear wheels - both should be warm but not hot. One much hotter than the other means one rear shoe is dragging.
• Parking brake will not hold on a grade. A properly-adjusted set of new shoes will hold your Tacoma stationary on a 15 percent grade. If yours rolls, it is worn shoes or a stretched cable.
• Visual check. Pull the rear drum, measure the shoe friction thickness with a caliper. Replace at 2 mm or below. New shoe thickness is 4 to 5 mm.

Fitment - Same Shoe Shape 2005-2023

The Tacoma rear drum uses the industry shoe number 871 - referenced as BS871 by Bosch, B871 by Power Stop, and S871 or Z871 by various suppliers. All the same shape.

• 2005-2023 Toyota Tacoma - all base trims and TRD Off-Road, both 2WD and 4WD, both 4-cyl and V6 engines
• Not compatible with rear disc conversions - if you have converted your Tacoma to rear disc brakes, this shoe does not fit
• Verify before ordering - pull one rear drum and check that you see drum brake shoes inside, not a rotor and caliper

Bosch BS871 vs Power Stop B871

Two legit aftermarket options - both OE-quality replacements. The differences are small and mostly a matter of brand preference. Here is how they compare on the details:

Bosch BS871 Blue Line

• Bosch's Blue line - their OE-replacement drum shoe tier
• 77 years of Bosch OE braking heritage - Bosch supplies factory brake components to Toyota globally
• The set most Toyota independent mechanics keep on the shelf for Tacoma rear service
• Slightly higher price than Power Stop but the Bosch brand recognition wins repeat customers

Power Stop B871 Autospecialty

• Power Stop's Autospecialty line - their working-budget OE-replacement tier
• Power Stop is one of the top three aftermarket brake brands in North America
• Factory-spec shoe geometry and friction material - identical stopping distance to OE
• Best price on a legit-brand shoe for the Tacoma rear

What Else You Need for the Job

Rear drum brake service is not just shoes. Plan on refreshing these while you have the drum off:

• Return springs and hold-down hardware - old springs stretch and lose tension; the hardware kit is usually $15-25 and is cheap insurance
• Star wheel adjuster - a stuck star wheel will not let you adjust the shoes to the drum; replace if it does not turn freely
• Wheel cylinder - inspect for weeping brake fluid behind the boots; replace if leaking or seeping (a leaking cylinder soaks the new shoes and ruins them within a week)
• Drum - measure inside diameter with a drum micrometer; replace if grooved deeper than 0.010 inch or if inside diameter exceeds discard spec engraved on the drum
• Brake cleaner - clean the backing plate and hardware before reassembly, never blow drum brake dust with compressed air (older Tacomas may have asbestos content in the OE shoe material)

Install Notes for the Tacoma Rear

• Do one side at a time - leave the other rear brake assembled as a reference for spring orientation
• Take a picture before you start removing hardware - the spring positions are easy to get wrong on reassembly
• Angled needle-nose pliers are the right tool for the return springs
• High-temp brake grease on the shoe contact points on the backing plate - not chassis grease, which will melt and contaminate the friction material
• Grease the star wheel adjuster threads with high-temp brake grease before assembly
• Adjust the star wheel so the drum just barely drags on the shoes when you rotate it, then back off two clicks
• Pump the parking brake pedal or lever several times after install to seat everything - it should self-adjust after 10-15 pumps
• Verify the parking brake now holds on your driveway grade before driving on the road

Torque Specs and Reference

• Rear wheel lug nut torque: 83 lb-ft (2005-2015 Tacoma) / 85 lb-ft (2016-2023)
• Rear brake bleeder screw torque: 8-9 lb-ft (do not overtighten - the drum brake bleeder is soft brass)
• Backing plate mounting bolt torque: reference the Toyota factory service manual for your model year
• Parking brake cable adjustment: bring pedal to firm hold at 4-6 clicks (2WD) or 5-7 clicks (4WD)

Warranty and Shipping

• Both Bosch BS871 and Power Stop B871 come with the manufacturer's limited warranty
• Free shipping on orders over $75 - pair shoes with a wheel cylinder or hardware kit to easily clear
• Same-day shipping on in-stock orders placed before 2 PM Eastern from our Circleville, Ohio warehouse
• 30-day return policy on unopened parts

Questions on your specific Tacoma year, trim, or 2WD vs 4WD fitment? Contact us before ordering - we cross-reference OE part numbers to make sure the shoe you order actually fits your truck.