Box_Man

That never works, even if it's supposed to. the star wheel is designed so that you can easily adjust it with a flat head screwdriver through a small hole in the backplate. The L shaped thing acts like a ratchet, so that you can only turn the starwheel one way and adjust the shoes out. to pull the shoes back in, you need another screwdriver to lift the L ratchet and turn the wheel backwards. I can do this in a few minutes, I have it down to a science, but it still doesn't change the fact that I hate drums.

85TIIDEVIL

iTrader: (2)

My father showed me this... Lay out your parts on the floor the same way they came off the car... always makes for a easier install for a rookie drum brake mechanic.

If you kick everything out of place by accident *oops* use the other side for a reference... meaning disassemble / reassemble one side at at time.

speedracer_not

I use a rubber band to hold the spanner in place, have the spanner in the shortest position, c clamps on each drum pad, and that hooked spring tool, which scratches the brake pad's material. Takes about three tries and allot of curse words. Then use pliers to attach the bottom spring. and finally secure the brake pads with the retaining springs. (do pros have a better method?)

Finally adjust the spanner so there is a slight drag when I rotate the brake drum after using the e-brake to center the brake pads.

Tyger

Could someone please explain the bit about centering the pads with the ebrake?

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

11 year old thread, you would be better off to start a new one with details of what you need. I think he uses the ebrake in the case that the brakes have not been bled to fully seat the shoes before adjusting.

Tyger

Yah, except when you post a new thread everyone says "Didn't you look at the old threads??" It's kind of a no-win situation in that regard... Yes, it's an 11-year-old thread, but it's a 36-year-old car I've got.
Anyway, thanks for the reply – are you saying it's just a shortcut? Why would you not always bleed the brakes after doing significant brake work?

midnight mechanic

Centering? I give the e-brake handle a few jerks, then expand the spanner by clicking that star wheel. When there is a slight drag when turning the drum, I give the e-brake handle a few jerks to CENTER the drum brake shoes. Then go back and expand the spanner......it's a do-loop until there is a slight drag on the drums when turning right after you CENTER thr drum brake shoes with the e-brake handle. It's hard to explain , easy to do.

This technique is good enough to pas NJ State car inspection. There they test the brakes using skid plates.

Old threads? New threads? Who cares! Let's exchange tips on keeping our cars on the road.