Parts for your 2008 Honda Stream-Brake wheel cylinders

2008 Honda Stream brake wheel cylinders — what’s fitted and how to look after them

Technical references including the Honda Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) for the RN6/RN8 series and the 2007–2011 Honda Stream service manual note that most 1.8-litre RN6 variants use rear drum brakes with hydraulic wheel cylinders. Higher-spec 2.0-litre RN8/RSZ variants are shown with rear disc brakes, which use callipers instead and have no wheel cylinders. Parts listings for the RN6 commonly include a “rear wheel cylinder” assembly, further confirming relevance to drum-brake models. So, on a 2008 Honda Stream with rear drums, brake wheel cylinders are indeed used, on rear-disc models, they’re not present.

On rear drum-brake versions of the 2008 Honda Stream, the brake wheel cylinders sit inside each rear drum, pushing the shoes outwards when brake fluid pressure rises. They convert hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder into the straight-line shove that makes the shoes bite the drum. If the car is the common RN6 1.8-litre spec, those cylinders are part of the factory setup, if it’s an RN8 2.0 with rear discs, they’re not present and the job is done by callipers instead.

For owners of drum-brake Streams, keeping the wheel cylinders in good nick is simple but important. Regular inspections help catch seal wear and minor leaks before they become a drama. Look for dampness or fluid weeping at the boot ends, uneven shoe wear, a spongy pedal feel, or the car tugging to one side under brakes. Any sign of leakage means the shoes may be contaminated and stopping distances can blow out, so it’s best to replace cylinders and shoes together.

A sensible routine is:

• Inspect rear wheel cylinders and shoe condition at every service or at least every 20,000 km.
• Flush brake fluid every 2 years. Use Honda-approved DOT 3 (DOT 4 is acceptable if compatible across the system).
• Replace wheel cylinders in axle pairs to keep braking even left-to-right.
• After work on the rear drums, bleed the system properly and check pedal feel before driving off.

If corrosion is common where the car lives, consider preventative replacement when doing rear shoes and drums. When fitting new cylinders, ensure the shoe contact points are clean, the cylinder pistons move freely, and the boots seat correctly to keep grit out. A quick road test, a couple of firm pedal applications, and a re-check for leaks will round out the job nicely. Treated this way, wheel cylinders usually give years of faithful service on a 2008 Honda Stream.

FAQs

How can someone tell if their 2008 Honda Stream actually has wheel cylinders?
Check the rear brakes: if there’s a solid drum behind the wheel, it’s a drum-brake setup with wheel cylinders. If there’s a visible brake disc and calliper, there are no wheel cylinders. Many RN6 1.8-litre cars are drum, RN8 2.0-litre RSZ models are typically rear disc.

How often should wheel cylinders be replaced?
There’s no fixed interval. They’re replaced when leaking, seized, or if the dust boots are perished. In practice, many owners renew them when doing rear shoes, or as preventative maintenance in harsh climates. Always replace in axle pairs.

Is it safe to drive with a leaking wheel cylinder?
No. A leak reduces hydraulic pressure and can soak the shoes, causing poor braking and pull to one side. It’s best to park the car and arrange repair before further driving.