67-72 Self Adjusting Rear Brakes ??

[ZEKE68]

Were self adjusting rear drum brakes ever an option on the 67 to 72 Chevrolet or GMC pickups?

[truckdude239]

Umm yeah my 71 are self adjusting but you still have to get them close

[FirstOwner69]

Standard on my 69 3/4 ton. I thought they were on all years, 67-72.

[ZEKE68]

Mine did not have them when I got it. Maybe I can find the pieces to reinstall them.

[quick60]

Yours did not have the star wheel at the bottom of the shoes with the spring loaded level to adjust it with? WOW seems you would experience serious brake fade with that issue.

[ZEKE68]

It has the adjusting wheel and screwe to adjust it. Just no mechanisism to adjust it without manually turning it. A lot of vehicles have a lever to tighten the adjustment when you backup and hit the brakes or use the emergency brake. Mine did not.

[cdowns]

all parts are redily available at the autoparts stores

[geezer#99]

Manually turning it works fine. What do you think us old guys got to do before the self adjusters were installed?
We adjusted our shoes once a month.
Do you have the slots for the adjustment in the front in your drum?

[Daddy Brim]

Originally Posted by cdowns

all parts are redily available at the autoparts stores

When I got my truck the adjusters were missing on the front. Got the parts and new springs at my local store.

[C5Phil]

Originally Posted by cdowns

all parts are redily available at the autoparts stores

if you replace the adjusters just make sure you get the correct "left" and "right" ones... ask me how I figured that one out.... not a fun story.

[ZEKE68]

Don't have slots on the drums or on the backing plates. Have to take the drums off to adjust them.

[geezer#99]

Make some access holes in the backing plate. Make them oval and put a rubber bung in them.
In this link you can see the oval hole at the bottom of the backing plate. Most plates had two holes for use on either side.
The bung you can get at the autoparts store in the 'help' section.
http://jeephorizons.com/tech/xj44part1.html

[truckster]

Originally Posted by ZEKE68

It has the adjusting wheel and screwe to adjust it. Just no mechanisism to adjust it without manually turning it. A lot of vehicles have a lever to tighten the adjustment when you backup and hit the brakes or use the emergency brake. Mine did not.

The lever doesn't just provide adjustment; it's also the spring tension that keeps the adjustment star from turning freely. Without it, you can't be sure the adjustment will stay where it needs to be.

It sounds like a previous owner didn't know how to do brakes.

[volksworld]

lots of old timers thought the self adjusting mechanisms were too complicated and a p.i.a. and would purposely convert them back to manual...if they had to deal with ABS their heads would have exploded

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by volksworld

lots of old timers thought the self adjusting mechanisms were too complicated and a p.i.a. and would purposely convert them back to manual...if they had to deal with ABS their heads would have exploded

Hey!!
I resemble that remark!!
New fangled crap!!
Next they'll come out with 'sliced bread'!!
'

[ZEKE68]

"The lever doesn't just provide adjustment; it's also the spring tension that keeps the adjustment star from turning freely. Without it, you can't be sure the adjustment will stay where it needs to be."

Yea, The first time I worked on the brakes I lubed the adjusting screw and got it turning good. Then I think the brakes backed themselfs off. I had to readjust them and set the coil spring to rub on the star to keep them from backing off. Did the original setup work off of the emergency brake?

[67 chevelle]

Originally Posted by ZEKE68

"The lever doesn't just provide adjustment; it's also the spring tension that keeps the adjustment star from turning freely. Without it, you can't be sure the adjustment will stay where it needs to be."

Yea, The first time I worked on the brakes I lubed the adjusting screw and got it turning good. Then I think the brakes backed themselfs off. I had to readjust them and set the coil spring to rub on the star to keep them from backing off. Did the original setup work off of the emergency brake?

Yes , the parking brakes adjusts them out , if you never use the parking brake , they will never "self adjust"

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by 67 chevelle

Yes , the parking brakes adjusts them out , if you never use the parking brake , they will never "self adjust"

I don't believe that's the way it works. My understanding is that they adjust when you apply the brakes when backing up. I think the process may be described in the owner's manual, but I don't have it available to check. I rarely use my parking brake and the brakes have never been manually adjusted except after replacing the brake shoes.

[cdowns]

Originally Posted by 67 chevelle

yes , the parking brakes adjusts them out , if you never use the parking brake , they will never "self adjust"

wrong!!!

[67 chevelle]

After some research it appears I was misguided on this matter , here is a good read on the function of self adjusters , some it appears , are adjusted while the truck is moving backward and the brakes are applied , excuse my ignorance

http://www.classicchevy.com/assets/p...hevy/20-80.pdf

[brown7373]

I remember a Pontiac 6000STE I had in the 1980s had 4 wheel disc brakes, and they the rear brakes were ONLY adjusted by using the parking brake. Living in the flat lands of south Florida, I never used the parking brake. The rears got seriously out of adjustment and corroded and unable to be adjusted manually. But 67-72 drum brakes had self adjusters actuated by applying the brakes while backing up.

[truckster]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

I don't believe that's the way it works. My understanding is that they adjust when you apply the brakes when backing up. I think the process may be described in the owner's manual, but I don't have it available to check. I rarely use my parking brake and the brakes have never been manually adjusted except after replacing the brake shoes.

This is correct. Of course, in order for them to self-adjust properly, the parts all need to be in place and the pivot point on the adjuster arm and the threads on the adjuster star need to be lubricated and free to move.