Drum Brake System: Adjustments

Drum Brake Adjustment

Special Tools
* J 21177-A Drum to Brake Shoe Clearance Gauge
* J 42450-A Wheel Hub Resurfacing Kit

Warning: Refer to Brake Dust Warning (Brake Dust Warning).


Note: This procedure must be performed after replacing the brake shoes or whenever the brake shoes have been removed.




1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).
2. Remove the rear tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
3. Disable the park brake cable automatic adjuster. Refer to Parking Brake Cable Adjuster Disabling (Parking Brake Cable Adjuster Disabling).
4. Remove the brake shoe adjuster access plug from the backing plate.
5. Insert a thin bladed tool (2) through the adjuster access hole in the backing plate until it contacts the adjuster lever (4).
6. Push the adjuster lever away from the adjuster screw (1).
7. Using a suitable tool (3), rotate the adjuster screw upward.
8. Remove the brake drum. Refer to Brake Drum Replacement (Removal and Replacement).




9. Using the J 42450-A (1), clean the mating surface of the rear axle flange.




10. Using the J 21177-A (1), measure the inside diameter of the brake drum.




11. With the set screw (1) locked, place the opposite side of the J 21177-A over the brake shoes.
12. Rotate the brake shoe adjuster screw until the brake shoes just contact the J 21177-A .
13. Inspect the clearance between the brake shoes and the brake drum.

Approximately 0.76 mm (0.030 in)

14. Install the brake drum. Refer to Brake Drum Replacement (Removal and Replacement).
15. Enable the park brake cable automatic adjuster. Refer to Parking Brake Cable Adjuster Enabling (Parking Brake Cable Adjuster Enabling).
16. If necessary, adjust the park brake cable tension. Refer to Parking Brake Adjustment (1500 Drum Brake) (Parking Brake Adjustment (1500 Drum Brake))Parking Brake Adjustment (1500 Disc Brake) (Parking Brake Adjustment (1500 Disc Brake))Parking Brake Adjustment (2500/3500 SRW) (Parking Brake Adjustment (2500/3500 SRW))Parking Brake Adjustment (3500 DRW) (Parking Brake Adjustment (3500 DRW)).
17. Install the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
18. Lower the vehicle.