adjusting Dana 60 rear Drum brakes

[cjoenny89]

Does anyone have any tips on adjusting the Dana 60 rear drum brakes?
Its a 1968 C20 Dana 60 Floater. No adjustment holes for the adjuster.
I opened it up to put new brake cylinders on the rear. I drove it for about 3/8 of a mile and the rear drives side was smoking. I have it all apart again and what is the proper way to set the brake before you put it all together? I had it so the drum would drag a little when turning but when I drove it the drum was smoking from getting hot. The adjuster turns free, Maybe My emergency brake didn't release?
Anyway how much is to loose when you put it together and if it is loose will the adjuster eventually tighten it up?
I just don't want to pull it on and off 15 times to get it right, its not hard it just gets time consuming.
Thanks

[harpo231]

Common thing . some have a knock out for slot , some you have to drill to avoid the taking on and off procedure .

[cjoenny89]

there is no slot, I have to take them on and off!

[toolboxchev]

I lube the self adjusters with some copper anti-sieze before installation. I also make sure by trial fit that my drums are not too loose nor too tight.

Driving the vehicle in reverse then sharply applying the brakes 3-5 times will adjust them properly. Done it a hundred times, neighbors look at me a bit funny yet what do they know???

[cjoenny89]

thanks

[harpo231]

Originally Posted by cjoenny89

there is no slot, I have to take them on and off!

Ill type slower
sometimes there is a knockout to make a slot sometimes you have to drill it to avoid taking them off and on .