Drum Brake System: Adjustments

Drum Brake Adjustment

Special Tools

J-21177-A - Drum to Brake Shoe Clearance Gauge
Warning: Refer to Brake Dust Warning (Brake Dust Warning).


Note: The park brake cable nut is a nylon lock type. Use ONLY HAND TOOLS when loosening or tightening the adjusting nut.




1. Remove the console rear trim plate. Refer to Console Rear Trim Plate Replacement (Console Rear Trim Plate Replacement).
2. Ensure that the park brake lever is in the fully released position.
3. With the park brake lever in the released position, loosen the adjusting nut (1) enough to completely relieve tension on the front cable.




4. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).
5. Remove the rear tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
6. Remove the brake drums. Refer to Brake Drum Replacement (Removal and Replacement).
7. Position the J-21177-A - Drum to Brake Shoe Clearance Gauge to widest point of the brake drum inside diameter.
8. Firmly hand tighten the set screw on the J-21177-A - Drum to Brake Shoe Clearance Gauge.




9. Remove the J-21177-A - Drum to Brake Shoe Clearance Gauge from the brake drum and position it over the corresponding brake shoe assembly at its widest point.
10. While holding the J-21177-A - Drum to Brake Shoe Clearance Gauge in position, insert a 0.375 mm (0.015 in) feeler gauge between one side of the J-21177-A - Drum to Brake Shoe Clearance Gauge , and the corresponding brake shoe lining.
11. Rotate the brake shoe adjuster screw until the brake shoe linings contact the J-21177-A - Drum to Brake Shoe Clearance Gauge , and the feeler gauge.

Brake shoe lining-to-drum clearance: 0.375 mm (0.015 in).

12. Repeat the above steps for the opposite brake drum and brake shoe assembly.
13. Install the brake drums. Refer to Brake Drum Replacement (Removal and Replacement).
14. Adjust the park brake. Refer to Parking Brake Adjustment (Adjustments).
15. Install the rear tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
16. Lower the vehicle.
17. Install the console rear trim plate. Refer to Console Rear Trim Plate Replacement (Console Rear Trim Plate Replacement).
18. Release the park brake lever.