adjusting drum brakes
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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adjusting drum brakes
I replaced the shoes drums master cyl,wheel cyls all hardware wheel bearings hoses and all steel lines on my 66 f150 w/352 4bbl auto fmx tranny how does everybody adjust the shoes after the drums are on?I know you adjust the shoes by the star wheel but what indications would i get when they are adjusted properly?The guy at the parts store wanted to sell me a shoe drum brake gaugeat 54.00 i said no thanks.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,557
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From: Texas
Adjustiung drums can be a real pain. But that's what self adjusters are for.
I install everything and manually adjust the shoes until they are just barely rubbing when the drum is rotated. I usually have a helper apply the brakes a few times during the adjusting process to re-seat the shoes.
Once road worthy, I make a few 20 mph stops under firm (not hard) pressure to help wear the shoes in even. Then I pull into a parking lot and make about ten short, quick stops in reverse. This lets the self adjusters do the work they were designed to.
I've never had a problem doing it this way.
I install everything and manually adjust the shoes until they are just barely rubbing when the drum is rotated. I usually have a helper apply the brakes a few times during the adjusting process to re-seat the shoes.
Once road worthy, I make a few 20 mph stops under firm (not hard) pressure to help wear the shoes in even. Then I pull into a parking lot and make about ten short, quick stops in reverse. This lets the self adjusters do the work they were designed to.
I've never had a problem doing it this way.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 9
From: Sun River St. George
I adjust the shoes against the drum until the wheel will not turn. Bleed the brakes, push the adjuster cam away from the star wheel and turn it until the wheel turns with just a bit of a drag. Go for a short ride and check for a hot drum. Then do the back-up apply the brakes a few times like Rosati. I always use new return springs and fasteners whenever I replace shoes.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 262
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From: Northern Virginia
I just finished replacing the lines from the splitter block to the rear cylinders.The PO had changed all of the shoes,cylinders and springs.The rotors had been turned.He gave up when he could not bleed the brakes cause the lines had stopped up.To adjust the brakes I turned the star wheels till they would drag a bit.The rear ones are harder because of the limited slip diff having so much resistance,especially with cold oil in it.I make a few low speed stops to set them. Your truck is about the same as mine exept I have a 250.None of my brakes have adjusters that I could see and I suspect yours to be the same.Try a few stops with your hands off of the wheel to see if at jerks one way or another.Good Luck
Joe
Joe
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