Ford Forums banner

Rear drum brake question this time

2K views 12 replies 0 participants last post by  Hairy 
G
#1 ·
For those of you with vechicles with rear drums, do you reguarly check the
adjustment, or do you find that the auto adjustment keeps them adjusted
pretty well?

--
Paul O.
oplholik@gmail.com
 
G
#2 ·
The auto adjustment doesn't work very well, if at all, depending on
conditions.

What type of vehicle are you referring to?

Spdloader


"Paul O." <oplholik@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:9r74f.1538$dO2.703@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net...
> For those of you with vechicles with rear drums, do you reguarly check the
> adjustment, or do you find that the auto adjustment keeps them adjusted
> pretty well?
>
> --
> Paul O.
> oplholik@gmail.com
>
 
G
#3 ·
An 03 Ranger.
--
Paul O.
oplholik@gmail.com


"Spdloader" <askforit@nospam.triad.rr.com> wrote in message
news:uB84f.5911$pP1.346619@twister.southeast.rr.com...
> The auto adjustment doesn't work very well, if at all, depending on
> conditions.
>
> What type of vehicle are you referring to?
>
> Spdloader
>
>
> "Paul O." <oplholik@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:9r74f.1538$dO2.703@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net...
>> For those of you with vechicles with rear drums, do you reguarly check
>> the adjustment, or do you find that the auto adjustment keeps them
>> adjusted pretty well?
>>
>> --
>> Paul O.
>> oplholik@gmail.com
>>

>
>
 
G
#4 ·
On Sat, 15 Oct 2005 14:44:42 GMT, "Spdloader"
<askforit@nospam.triad.rr.com> wrote:

>The auto adjustment doesn't work very well, if at all, depending on
>conditions.


Huh? The only time I've had to adjust drum brakes is when I put new
shoes in 'em. Gotta pull the drums and blow all the crap out once in
a while and make sure the adjuster is lubed. Keep the rubber plug in
the adjusting slot all the time and it'll help keep the mud/snow/gunk
out of the brakes..
 
G
#5 ·
Again, depending on conditions, sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.

Want a great pedal? Go out and adjust the rear brakes until they just start
to make contact.

That is where they should be adjusted, but auto adjusters won't keep them
there.

Spdloader




"The OTHER Kevin in San Diego" <skiddz "AT" adelphia "DOT" net> wrote in
message news:nnd2l11hmnc35ge8v46jfi87tj4fsechmt@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 15 Oct 2005 14:44:42 GMT, "Spdloader"
> <askforit@nospam.triad.rr.com> wrote:
>
>>The auto adjustment doesn't work very well, if at all, depending on
>>conditions.

>
> Huh? The only time I've had to adjust drum brakes is when I put new
> shoes in 'em. Gotta pull the drums and blow all the crap out once in
> a while and make sure the adjuster is lubed. Keep the rubber plug in
> the adjusting slot all the time and it'll help keep the mud/snow/gunk
> out of the brakes..
>
>
>
>
 
G
#6 ·
In article <9r74f.1538$dO2.703@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net>,
"Paul O." <oplholik@hotmail.com> wrote:

> For those of you with vechicles with rear drums, do you reguarly check the
> adjustment, or do you find that the auto adjustment keeps them adjusted
> pretty well?


For me, the auto adjust works just fine. But then, I always back into
the garage, so I use the brakes a fair bit when reversing.

99 Ranger. I pulled the drums recently on another issue and found the
brakes to be in very good shape. Of course, I have the 5 spd stick, too.

HR.
 
G
#7 ·
"Spdloader" <askforit@nospam.triad.rr.com> wrote in message
news:jyb4f.7288$Sg2.518093@twister.southeast.rr.com...
> Again, depending on conditions, sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.
>
> Want a great pedal? Go out and adjust the rear brakes until they just

start
> to make contact.
>
> That is where they should be adjusted, but auto adjusters won't keep them
> there.
>
> Spdloader
>
>
>
>
> "The OTHER Kevin in San Diego" <skiddz "AT" adelphia "DOT" net> wrote in
> message news:nnd2l11hmnc35ge8v46jfi87tj4fsechmt@4ax.com...
> > On Sat, 15 Oct 2005 14:44:42 GMT, "Spdloader"
> > <askforit@nospam.triad.rr.com> wrote:
> >
> >>The auto adjustment doesn't work very well, if at all, depending on
> >>conditions.

> >
> > Huh? The only time I've had to adjust drum brakes is when I put new
> > shoes in 'em. Gotta pull the drums and blow all the crap out once in
> > a while and make sure the adjuster is lubed. Keep the rubber plug in
> > the adjusting slot all the time and it'll help keep the mud/snow/gunk
> > out of the brakes..
> >
> >
> >
> >

>
>


My autoadjusters have never worked. Whenever I have the drum off I check to
make sure they are clean and lubed and appear to be functioning properly,
adjust the brakes, and two weeks later the parking brake goes almost to the
floor. My understanding is that they are supposed to adjust when stopping
in reverse. Will this only work on pavement or are they supposed to adjust
on dirt too? Stopping is stopping so I don't see how the dirt is the
problem. Any suggestions on how to get my autoadjusters to work would be
appreciated. BTW I have two Explorers (91 and 92) and a '78 F350. My 97
Explorer has rear disc brakes.
 
G
#9 ·
On Sat, 15 Oct 2005 12:13:03 -0700, "Ulysses"
<therealulysses@yahoo.com> wrote:


>My autoadjusters have never worked. Whenever I have the drum off I check to
>make sure they are clean and lubed and appear to be functioning properly,
>adjust the brakes, and two weeks later the parking brake goes almost to the
>floor. My understanding is that they are supposed to adjust when stopping
>in reverse. Will this only work on pavement or are they supposed to adjust
>on dirt too? Stopping is stopping so I don't see how the dirt is the
>problem. Any suggestions on how to get my autoadjusters to work would be
>appreciated. BTW I have two Explorers (91 and 92) and a '78 F350. My 97
>Explorer has rear disc brakes.


Maybe I'm just lucky then. My '71 Cutlass has drums on all 4 corners
and I've never had to adjust 'em (except after a shoe change) and the
pedal action is still nice and tight.

Stopping is stopping regardless of the surface. If the brake
components are in proper workingorder, and the shoes contact the drum
with enough force to actuate the adjuster lever against the star
wheel, they'll adjust. Just be aware that riding the brake in reverse
won't adjust 'em completely 'cuz you'll only get one or two "clicks"
out of each braking action. Backing up slowly and modulating the
pedal (press it, release it, wait a few seconds and repeat) will get
you more clicks on the adjuster. If the brakes are way out of
adjustment, it'll take quite a while to get 'em back in. Best bet
then is to crawl under the car with your brake spoon and adjust 'em
properly.
 
G
#8 ·
"Rowbotth" <rowbotth@telusplanet.net> wrote in message
news:rowbotth-18B2A1.12321315102005@news.telus.net...
> In article <9r74f.1538$dO2.703@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net>,
> "Paul O." <oplholik@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> For those of you with vechicles with rear drums, do you reguarly check
>> the
>> adjustment, or do you find that the auto adjustment keeps them adjusted
>> pretty well?

>
> For me, the auto adjust works just fine. But then, I always back into
> the garage, so I use the brakes a fair bit when reversing.
>
> 99 Ranger. I pulled the drums recently on another issue and found the
> brakes to be in very good shape. Of course, I have the 5 spd stick, too.
>
> HR.


I got thru checking them and they seem to be fine. Jacked it up and spun the
wheels and you could just hear that swishing sound as the shoes are barely
touching.
--
Paul O.
oplholik@gmail.com
 
G
#10 ·
I would still bet they're out of adjustment.

Spdloader



"Paul O." <oplholik@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:nHc4f.1192$q%.1161@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com...
>
> "Rowbotth" <rowbotth@telusplanet.net> wrote in message
> news:rowbotth-18B2A1.12321315102005@news.telus.net...
>> In article <9r74f.1538$dO2.703@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net>,
>> "Paul O." <oplholik@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> For those of you with vechicles with rear drums, do you reguarly check
>>> the
>>> adjustment, or do you find that the auto adjustment keeps them adjusted
>>> pretty well?

>>
>> For me, the auto adjust works just fine. But then, I always back into
>> the garage, so I use the brakes a fair bit when reversing.
>>
>> 99 Ranger. I pulled the drums recently on another issue and found the
>> brakes to be in very good shape. Of course, I have the 5 spd stick, too.
>>
>> HR.

>
> I got thru checking them and they seem to be fine. Jacked it up and spun
> the wheels and you could just hear that swishing sound as the shoes are
> barely touching.
> --
> Paul O.
> oplholik@gmail.com
>
 
G
#11 ·
Wrong.

I just got through a drive through the Rocky Mountains and they worked
just fine, with no overheating nor with any failures on the eversolong
roads as the elevation declines eversomuch in so little time. They also
stop the beast in about what the laws of physics tell me I should be
able to for a beast of this weight.

The self adjusters work just fine.

Sorry.

HR.
=============
In article <Z%c4f.7301$Sg2.549682@twister.southeast.rr.com>,
"Spdloader" <askforit@nospam.triad.rr.com> wrote:

> I would still bet they're out of adjustment.
>
> Spdloader
>
>
>
> "Paul O." <oplholik@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:nHc4f.1192$q%.1161@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com...
> >
> > "Rowbotth" <rowbotth@telusplanet.net> wrote in message
> > news:rowbotth-18B2A1.12321315102005@news.telus.net...
> >> In article <9r74f.1538$dO2.703@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net>,
> >> "Paul O." <oplholik@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >>> For those of you with vechicles with rear drums, do you reguarly check
> >>> the
> >>> adjustment, or do you find that the auto adjustment keeps them adjusted
> >>> pretty well?
> >>
> >> For me, the auto adjust works just fine. But then, I always back into
> >> the garage, so I use the brakes a fair bit when reversing.
> >>
> >> 99 Ranger. I pulled the drums recently on another issue and found the
> >> brakes to be in very good shape. Of course, I have the 5 spd stick, too.
> >>
> >> HR.

> >
> > I got thru checking them and they seem to be fine. Jacked it up and spun
> > the wheels and you could just hear that swishing sound as the shoes are
> > barely touching.
> > --
> > Paul O.
> > oplholik@gmail.com
> >
 
G
#12 ·
I wasn't replying to you, Rowboth.

I was replying to the OP.

Spdloader



"Rowbotth" <rowbotth@telusplanet.net> wrote in message
news:rowbotth-5CDD10.16245615102005@news.telus.net...
> Wrong.
>
> I just got through a drive through the Rocky Mountains and they worked
> just fine, with no overheating nor with any failures on the eversolong
> roads as the elevation declines eversomuch in so little time. They also
> stop the beast in about what the laws of physics tell me I should be
> able to for a beast of this weight.
>
> The self adjusters work just fine.
>
> Sorry.
>
> HR.
> =============
> In article <Z%c4f.7301$Sg2.549682@twister.southeast.rr.com>,
> "Spdloader" <askforit@nospam.triad.rr.com> wrote:
>
>> I would still bet they're out of adjustment.
>>
>> Spdloader
>>
>>
>>
>> "Paul O." <oplholik@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:nHc4f.1192$q%.1161@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com...
>> >
>> > "Rowbotth" <rowbotth@telusplanet.net> wrote in message
>> > news:rowbotth-18B2A1.12321315102005@news.telus.net...
>> >> In article <9r74f.1538$dO2.703@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net>,
>> >> "Paul O." <oplholik@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>> For those of you with vechicles with rear drums, do you reguarly
>> >>> check
>> >>> the
>> >>> adjustment, or do you find that the auto adjustment keeps them
>> >>> adjusted
>> >>> pretty well?
>> >>
>> >> For me, the auto adjust works just fine. But then, I always back into
>> >> the garage, so I use the brakes a fair bit when reversing.
>> >>
>> >> 99 Ranger. I pulled the drums recently on another issue and found the
>> >> brakes to be in very good shape. Of course, I have the 5 spd stick,
>> >> too.
>> >>
>> >> HR.
>> >
>> > I got thru checking them and they seem to be fine. Jacked it up and
>> > spun
>> > the wheels and you could just hear that swishing sound as the shoes are
>> > barely touching.
>> > --
>> > Paul O.
>> > oplholik@gmail.com
>> >
 
G
#13 ·
"Paul O." <oplholik@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:9r74f.1538$dO2.703@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net...
> For those of you with vechicles with rear drums, do you reguarly check the
> adjustment, or do you find that the auto adjustment keeps them adjusted
> pretty well?
>
> --


Self-adjusters generally work very well...if the driver allows them to.
Trouble is, many people don't use the brakes to stop while in reverse.
Instead, they'll stick it in drive and let the trans do the work. My wife
does this and it's a habit that is automatic and hard to break.

Dave
> Paul O.
> oplholik@gmail.com
>
>
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top