Drum Brake System: Adjustments

NOTE: Normally, self-adjusting drum brakes will not require manual brake shoe adjustment. Although, in the event of a brake shoe replacement, it is advisable to make the initial adjustment manually to speed up the adjusting time.

NOTE: Before raising the vehicle, verify the parking brake lever is fully released.

1. Raise the vehicle. See Hoisting in Maintenance.






2. Remove rubber plug from rear brake adjusting hole in the rear brake support plate .
3. Insert a thin screwdriver through the adjusting hole in the support plate and against the star wheel of the adjusting screw. Move handle of the tool upward rotating the star wheel until a slight drag is felt when tire and wheel assembly is rotated.
4. Insert a second thin screwdriver or piece of welding rod into brake adjusting hole and push the adjusting lever out of engagement with the star wheel. Care should be taken so as not to bend adjusting lever or distort lever spring.
5. While holding the adjusting lever out of engagement, back off the star wheel just enough to ensure a free wheel with no brake shoe drag.
6. Repeat the above adjustment at the other rear wheel.
7. Install the adjusting hole rubber plugs back in the rear brake support plates.
8. Lower the vehicle.