Adjusting drum brakes

[lukecp]

I just finished installing new drum brake shoes in my truck, correctly this time, lol. Anyway, how do i go about adjusting them so they work correctly? I know to stick a screwdriver through the hole in the drum and turn the little wheel over. How do i know if they are too tight or too loose? Any tricks to make this go faster? (i can't get at the adjuster hole no matter how i mount the wheel ).

[Blue_71]

what i usually do, is turn the wheel while adjusting until there is a slight drag.. but maybe youll have to take the wheel off and turn the drum? i cant figure out why you wouldnt be able to get to the adjuster hole

[68SWB4x4]

i always adjusted it tell they slightly rubed and made contact with the drums (not much contact, just slight)

[Josh]

What I generally do when adjusting my drums is, with the wheel off, adjust them one click at a time, till when I spin the drum, it will spin a few revolutions. Don't make them too tight, just tight enough to have a bit of drag on them.

[1-PU70]

Here is the best way I have found to do this in my 30 years of working on these trucks. First cut a hole in the backing plate where the star adjuster is. You can start with a drill then use a file or die grinder or even a drumal. Then with the drum and wheel on adjust the star till the wheel is locked. Then back off the star till there is just a very slight drag. You need to use a thin screw driver or a all to release the lock on the star adjuster.

[jhwkns]

I'm lucky. I can reach the adjuster hole in the front of the drum through the slots in my wheels. this makes things real easy to adjust. I can do it from the front side without removing the rims.

When you replaced your shoes did you clean the backing plates, and lube the centering device? This is pretty important if you want you brakes to self-adjust properly. Also on vehicles this old it's always a good idea to replace the brake shoe springs, and retainers. The kits are cheap, and well worth the investment.

[basketcase]

I agree with 1-PU70. Back when all we had was drum brakes the accepted adjustment was to tighten them until the wheel wouldn't turn then back them off 2 or 3 clicks. This is the only way you can be sure that they are all the same distance from zero clearance.

[lukecp]

Well, i got around to adjusting them today. Both were way too far in, and i had to turn the adjuster wheel to make them spread apart more. I turned it until i could start to hear the shoes dragging on the drums, and there was a little bit of resistance. The brakes don't feel quite like they used to, i'm guessing this is because the shoes haven't wore to the same contour as the drums yet. However, it dosen't pull one bit . I didn't add new springs and stuff, the old ones looked OK. I proably should though...i guess i can add that to my long list of stuff to do on my truck, lol.
Thanks for the help!

[PanelDeland]

I like to use a little bit of anti-seize on the threads of the star adjusters.It doesn't always keep them freed up to where the self adjusters work but it does help.a dab of grease on the areas where the brake shoes rub the backing plates also helps them slide easier.
One thing often overlooked on these old trucks are the rubber brake lines. they are 30 or so years old so you might want to check them.

[sharkskinman]

I'm about to go the same
Had to replace driver front drum(cracked old one long story that ends in I'm an idiot! but I fixed it

Was wondering about the self adjustment..
Used to doing VW/Porsche ones that Don't self adjust