Star shaped tool - 1995 Lexus ES 300

To Replace a Tailgate: Tools needed for the replacement:- Star shaped sockets- Flathead Screwdriver- Long Nose Pliers- Shop Light- Dremel w/ disc cutter for plastics, Remove the 2 outer long star shaped screws: Close Tailgate and pull down and out the handle bezel. The bezel itself its being held by 2 plastic anchors. To remove the handle from the tailgate we need to open it. Pull the linkage from both sides inward and the tailgate should open. Remove the 3 large star shaped screws-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tacho Pro 2008

Two things are common: One must typically remove an Oval shaped Rubber cover located near the bottom of the Brake Backing Plate to access the Star Adjuster Wheel. The Self Adjuster must be pushed outward with a long thin screwdriver then the Star Wheel must be rotated with a Brake Adjuster Tool in an Upward Direction. Remember to rotate it in an upward direction you must Lower the tool and engage the Star Wheel then Raise the Adjuster Tool while engaged with the Star Wheel.

The second thing is breaking the Rust around the Center hole in the Brake Drum. Usually some good penetrating oil allowed to soak for about an hour will loosen it. Some times it will be necessary to apply a lot of heat typically with a Propane Torch and then smack the drum with a hammer between the studs a few times. You will most likely have to replace the drums dependent upon how many miles your vehicle has on it. I presume it has over 100,000 miles in it.

If it's a bolt head, you need a star socket. Available at auto parts stores. If it's a female star shape, you need a Torx bit. Also widely available.

Star sockets:
Torx bits:

easy job just dirty ,and remember the clutch retaining nuts are 9mm with a star sort of shape so a ring spanner with the right shape is a must ,shouldnt take more than 3 hours with hand tools ,quicker with a air tool

Go to a good auto parts store that has a tool catalog and look there or find a mobile tool dealer like Snap-on. Harbor freight catalogs also have them

Before changing the real wheel bearings, you should thoroughly inspect your rear brakes. You would disassemble the back brakes anyway to change the bearings, and changing the brakes is easier. Remember to block the wheels up front, yes - safety first. As you pull off the rear drums, if you have to struggle to get them off, then that is a definite sign of wear and you'll need to do a rear brake job. As rear drum brakes are used, they have an auto adjust screw that tests and resets your brakes to ensure they are at proper distance to the drum surface. As brake shoes wear into the drums, they can create a groove or lip on the inside of the drum that the brakes will get caught upon when you try to remove worn brake drums. There should be a little hole on the interior side of the brake drum assembly and where you can fit a brake adjustment tool into. After you get the tool in there, it will touch against a star shaped wheel which is actually an adjusting nut. If you have a very small phillips screwdriver, place it inside this same hole and push the little arm that is touching this little star shaped nut. Everytime you back up and hit the brakes, this automatic adjustment lever pushes down on the little star shaped nut making sure that the brakes are not loose (keeps them snug). After you have this lever pushed away from the star shaped nut, use the brake tool to begin turning the star shaped nut until you have moved the screw back together, and the brake shoes have moved back towards each other, and you should then be able to easilly slide the brake drum off.

Once you get the rear drums off, you should try to turn the rear hub on each side and listen for noise and the feel of metal grinding (it should turn freely and smoothly). If the brake pads and drums are in good shape (plenty of brake padding left and no signs of metal wear upon the drums) AND you can feel and or hear the grinding as you turn the wheel hub assembly, then proceed with continuing to replace the rear wheel bearings. However, the more likely scenario is that you need a rear brake job, and doing a brake job is still easier than continuing to tear your brakes apart to replace the hub bearings.

You can check out a copy of Chilton's Auto Repair Manual Hyundai Excel 1986 - 1993 from your local public library. You can also buy this manual on the internet by using your favorite search engine (yahoo, google, etc) to locate a book seller.

Torx socket.

You will need a star bit. It is similar to an allen wrench but shaped like a star and attaches to a socket wrench

These are called Torx bolts/nuts and they are intended to prevent theft, any store like Sears will carry the Torx (also called star) line of sockets, they are also available on line from different tool outlets, Carquest and Napa auto parts should have them too.