Which way do I need to turn the adjuster to tighten up the rear brakes? I know you turn the left side opposite the right but I didn't want to turn one the wrong way and have to go all the way back past the other way to get them tightened up.

 

Have you tried driving the truck in reverse and slamming on the brakes? They're self adjusting so that's really all you should have to do

 

The adjusters should roll upwards as you look through the slot. I doubt the mechanism will allow you to turn them the opposite direction, for that matter.

 

Only way to turn them to loosen them is to stick a pick in there and move the mechanism. Otherwise they only go one way.

 

I put new hardware kits on my rear brakes this weekend. My star wheels were two different colors, one gold one silver. The plates that keep the star wheels from turning were labeled L and R. I'm assuming L = left and R =right. However, when installed the locking plates don't stop the star wheels from being adjusted either way. To me it looks like the L&R plates should be swapped and they would work correct. Left side is referenced to what? Is there any significance to the star wheels being gold and silver? Need help.....

 

Left and right are referenced by sitting behind the steering wheel looking forward.

 

On the adjuster plate the flats face the front, the "high hole" to the rear to connect to the parking brake cable. The adjuster wheel sits under and is engaged by the flats.

The adjusting wheels are usually stamped L/R as well under the end cap

When adjusting with the drum on and using an adjusting tool...the tool is engaged to the star wheel through the slot in the backing plate, then the tool is levered downward toward you (thereby rotating the star wheel toward you as well) This is true on either side of the vehicle when facing the drum.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...e-diagram.html