Breaks on Brakes!

Rustymusty · #1 (**permalink**) 05-07-2008, 03:22 PM

Hi y'all!
My 88 4cly mustang is in desparate need of rear brakes shoes..at present, the drums are locked on,so i took the little rubber piece out of the back of the drum to TRY to unscrew the adjuster sprocket with all kinds of little inventions of little pieces of :wire/screwdrivers etc..tried up/down/sideways/left,right,east,west,north, then my ADD set in and i went south,as did my flashlight batteries from trying to see in there.

I can't figure where the little SOB-sprocket is located...any help'its for me to try??

TigerDan · #2 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 08:54 AM

Hi Rusty, welcome to the site!

We're more of a Ford truck site, and this forum is specifically for the 4-cylinder engines so drivetrain questions don't usually fly in here. That said, lot's of folks here have Mustangs as well. I can't say as I'm familiar with the rearend used in the the 4-cylinder 'Stang, but first I'd get some fresh batteries in that flashlight and have another go at spotting the little bugger you're looking for. You might try a little pocket or inspection mirror as well, you might not be able to see the adjuster because you can't get your head up in there at the right angle. Shine the light in the hole and hold the mirror up at an angle and move it around to try to get a view of the thing. I've also shone the light right into the mirror and used it to project the beam of light into the hole.

You might also try whacking the outside of the brake drums with a hammer to try and break the brakes loose. (Be careful, cast iron cracks...!)

Rustymusty · #3 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 09:38 AM

Thanks Tigerdan that was Ggrrreat!(Tony the tiger)

I did try the prying ,hitting,smacking,arm bar..this rotor thing is made for the UFC!
I'm starting to suspect the adjuster plate is bigger than the sproket & perhaps not even accessible.

I actually thought i was in the 4cyl forum,
do you have that link? (sorry about that )

Rustymusty · #4 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 02:26 PM

Just a closing update..I got it!
It was 'pushing' that was the left out element. If i had been born with three arms it would of all worked out so much more smoothly!

TigerDan · #5 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 07:55 PM

Well there ya go...grow another arm and you too can be a bonafide Ford mechanic! Glad you got it!

Rustymusty · #6 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 02:45 PM

Onto issue numero#2..
I got the needed new parts.
Brake pads went on fine
Onto the drums.. reeeally tight going on(used a mallet and did NOT enjoy it!) finally on, BUT are drums supposed to be so dam tight that i cannot even turn the drum by hand? is there a break-in period or is it just going to cause a 'break'?

P.S. the adjuster is indeed screwed in all the way.

73f100shortbed · #7 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 05:41 PM

You should not have had to hammer them on.