Brake Shoe: Adjustments

The rear drum brakes, have self-adjusting shoe mechanisms that assure correct lining-to-drum clearances at all times. The automatic adjusters operate only when the brakes are applied as the vehicle is moving rearward. Although the brakes are self-adjusting, an initial adjustment is necessary after the brake shoes have been replaced, or when the length of the star wheel adjuster has been changed during some other service operation.

Measuring Brake Drum Inside Diameter:

Adjusting Brake Shoe To Drum Clearance:

- Raise and support vehicle with jack stands.
- Mark relationship of wheel to axle flange then remove tire and wheel assembly.
- Mark relationship of drum to axle flange then remove drum.
- Check to make sure that parking brake cable linkage and levers on secondary brake shoe are in ``free'' position.
- Using drum caliper tool, measure brake drum inside diameter.
- Turn brake adjusting screw to expand shoes to diameter obtained on outside caliper portion of tool.
- Adjust parking brake. Adjustments

CAUTION: Whenever rear drum brakes are serviced, the parking brake linkage cable at the equalizer must always be readjusted to prevent possible damage to brake shoes.

- Install brake drum aligning previous marks.
- Install wheel and tire assembly aligning previous marks, then lower vehicle and torque wheel nuts to 140 Nm (100 ft. lbs.).
- Drive vehicle alternately forward and backward, applying brakes moderately, to obtain satisfactory pedal height.