Drum Brake System: Adjustments

Drum Brake Adjustment

The rear brakes must be adjusted after replacing the brake shoes.
1. Raise the vehicle and support the vehicle with proper safety stands.




2. Remove the knockout plugs(1) in the backing plate.
3. Rotate the adjuster screw until the wheel can just be turned by hand. The brake lining drag should be equal at both wheels.
4. Loosen the adjusting screw 24 notches.
The brake linings should not drag after backing off the adjusting screw 12 notches. If you get heavy drag:
1. Verify the parking brake is released and that no parking brake cable are binding.
2. Loosen the equalizer nut on the park brake cables.
3. If you still get heavy drag after loosening the equalizer nut,inspect the condition of the brake shoes and verify the proper positioning of the brake shoes.
Refer to Brake Shoe; Testing and Inspection, and Brake Shoe; Service and Repair.
5. Install an adjusting hole cover in the backing plate.
6. Inspect the park brake cable adjustment and perform the procedure when necessary.
7. Remove the safety stands and lower the vehicle.