While I was on the lift checking my wheel cylinders the other day, I went ahead and adjusted the drum brakes out untill i could feel the slightest bit of drag.
Lemme say, it made a BIG difference, even with the leaky wheel cylinders. I have hardly any pedal travel now, compared to a good 2 inches or so before.
We always do this to customers cars (with drum brakes) with any brake job, and they always come back saying how great the brakes feel
To adjust them - raise the rear up off the ground, and pop the rubber plugs out of the adjustent slot. You can use a screwdriver, but a brake spoon tool make it easier.
You simply use the tool to turn the star wheel up (coming from the backing plate) while spinning the drum untill you feel the slighted bit of contact. Of course, this will usually cause you to have to back them off to remove the drum next time, and you have to fight the lever sitting on the star wheel to adjust them back in, but the security of a great feeling brake pedal is well worth it.
Lemme say, it made a BIG difference, even with the leaky wheel cylinders. I have hardly any pedal travel now, compared to a good 2 inches or so before.
We always do this to customers cars (with drum brakes) with any brake job, and they always come back saying how great the brakes feel
To adjust them - raise the rear up off the ground, and pop the rubber plugs out of the adjustent slot. You can use a screwdriver, but a brake spoon tool make it easier.
You simply use the tool to turn the star wheel up (coming from the backing plate) while spinning the drum untill you feel the slighted bit of contact. Of course, this will usually cause you to have to back them off to remove the drum next time, and you have to fight the lever sitting on the star wheel to adjust them back in, but the security of a great feeling brake pedal is well worth it.
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