Brake drum adjustment

[madaca]

I decided to start a different post about my problem. I replaced all my drum brakes a few weeks back along with the brake kits and brake cylinders. I bled everything real good by gravity bleeding. I did this a few times to be sure I got all the air out. There are no air bubbles, just solid liquid that runs out. Many people have been telling me to adjust the brakes so there is a little drag on the drums. Well a little drag does not seem to do it. I read somewhere else on the web that you should adjust the brakes until the drum doesnt turn and then you should back out a few clicks till you can just turn it. So I went ahead and did that and now the brakes are much better. I tested them out today at work in the parking lot and the brakes will actually lock the tires up now if I press hard enough.

My question is how much drag is too much drag? How hot should these drums get. To the touch, they are very hot to where you cant leave your finger on them. The truck stops great now but I guess I am just afraid of having the brakes adjusted too tight and something happening. Does anyone have any suggestions about this. I just want to be sure I have this right and that I do not have them adjusted with too much drag.

[dreamtruckproject]

The way I was taught to do it is to remove the wheel and put the lug nuts back on to hold the drum in place. Use a small ball peen hammer tap the edge of the drum. It should sound like a bell. Continue tapping and tighten the shoes just tight enough to make the bell sound turn to a solid sound then stop. Then put the wheel back on.

[TR65]

Madaca,

Just for reference, here is what the shop manual says:

Series 10

1. Turn adjusting screw until a light uniform drag is felt when drum is rotated with hands at opposite tire radii. (They are saying a light drag with the tire on and your hands rotating the tread of the tire, that would feel a lot tighter if you were rotating the drum with your hands)

2. To ensure proper running clearance and eliminate brake drag, adjust shoes at all wheels to 12 notches loose. (So that is 12 notches looser from step 1.)

If the system is bled properly small changes in the adjustment won't make any difference in the stopping power. If you have to have the drums dragging to get the proper braking, something else is probably wrong.

Good luck,

TR

[SeanPaintsFlames]

This is a good question. I've always wondered how you were supposed to get these things right.

[dreamtruckproject]

Originally Posted by dreamtruckproject

The way I was taught to do it is to remove the wheel and put the lug nuts back on to hold the drum in place. Use a small ball peen hammer tap the edge of the drum. It should sound like a bell. Continue tapping and tighten the shoes just tight enough to make the bell sound turn to a solid sound then stop. Then put the wheel back on.

Just realized I forgot the part about backing off the adjustment just enough so the bell sound returns. Guess it helps to read what I type before posting.

[dreamtruckproject]

Repost