Special adjusting method for drum brakes???

[Bartenfeld]

I know that drum brakes have the self-adjusting mechanisim. I have heard before that you have to drive in reverse then apply the brakes to engage the self-adjusters. Is this true, or is that only for certain types of self adjuster setups? I know how to reach through the drum with a flat head and "adjust up" the shoes manually. After I get my new shoes set up close, do I just simply drive and the self adjusters take over?? Or, do I need to do the whole reverse trick periodically to maintain proper adjusment? Just need to know what method applies to my 1966 pickup. Thanks.

[markeb01]

To my knowledge all self adjusting drum brakes work by making small adjustments as needed when the car has the brakes applied while backing. The only modification I ever read about was when some Nascar teams tried reversing the mechanisms back in the 1960’s, in order to keep the brakes tight all through the race. The result was the brakes burned up in short order and the concept was abandoned.

On new brake jobs I’ve always adjusted the brakes manually by using some type of long pointy tool to hold the self adjuster lever out of the way. This leaves them close enough that the self adjusters only need to fine tune the settings

For regular “self-adjustment” the vehicle doesn’t need to back up very far. If you routinely back out of your garage, or a parking space, they’ll stay right where they need to be.

[Heater63]

You've got it correct Bartenfeld, and Mark. Your '66 should have the self adjusting mech if somebody didn't remove it. As Mark says, use a tool to hold the self adjust lever off of the adjusting wheel to make it easy to turn the adjusting wheel- expand the shoes until the shoes just start to produce some drag when you spin the tire by hand (tranny in neutral). At that point you should be ready to go. My experience is you need to apply the brakes very firmly backing up to get them to turn the adjuster and advance a "click". So gently backing out of the driveway may not do much, you need to do a "panic" stop in reverse.

[Bartenfeld]

thanks guys!!!

[protrash64]

I just re-did my brakes and had trouble getting pedal after numerous bleedings and it finally came down to pulling the wheels and manually moving the pads out. Backing up did not adjust the pads enough.