Adjust/Not Adjust?

[Ray J]

I've seen several threads about adjusting the rear drums and am wondering why. Some of them have even mentioned pushing the "self-adjusting" lever out of the way to use the star-wheel adjuster.
Doesn't the self adjustment feature work? You can probably tell I haven't had any brake problems... no long pedal travel and EB is very firm. I've used the procedure in the manual... . "back up 20-ft... " etc. and it seems to work. Am I just lucky? Grin... . not complaining if I am.

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01 2500 Sport, QC, LWB, Auto, 4. 10, 4x4, Camper Pkg, Geno's muffler eliminator pipe, rest is stock for now

 

[DUNE RACER]

I adjust mine at every oil change and they usually take about 2-3 turns to rub. I like to be sure and it only takes a minute.

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2001 black dually,4x4, 6 speed H. O. ,loaded up and then some!

 

[LSMITH]

I adjust mine too. The adjusters work some, but mine do not keep up enough to keep the brakes balanced. Every 5000 miles of so, at least check them.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S SPA Boost/EGT Everything but leather NRA Member

 

[jmeehan]

A side affect of out of adjustment rear brakes may also be shortened front brake pad life. Just some incentive to check the rears #ad
.

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ex Ford tech, now driving '01. 5 2500 4X4 QC LB ETH/DEE SLT 3. 54, Patriot Blue

 

[sam peterson]

like everything else that developes slowly, yours could be out of adjustment without knowing it. try the adjustment & see how it feels. ---let us know.

 

[sam peterson]

illflem---does the side that needs the most adjustment always occur on the same side?

 

[illflem]

Sam,yes drivers side. Wear on the shoes from side to side is even though. Stock shoes,120K miles.

 

[NWright]

I don't know about all the 2001 2500 but mine has disc brakes on all 4 wheels.
Nathan



[This message has been edited by NWright (edited 02-17-2001). ]

 

[illflem]

I took my drums off to see why the self adjusters weren't working. Lubed everything with antiseize and the adjusters seemed to work well. At the next 5k oil change one side took 3 clicks,the other 15. Been the same way now for 80k. A few times the truck will start pulling to one side before I reach 5k,adjusting the problem side always fixes it.

Don't trust the self adjusters,if yours work you're lucky.

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks Stinger,Warn fender flairs and running boards(work truck)
95 3500,5 speed 3:54,BD E-brake,Driftwood,Banks&Psycotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(works harder truck)

 

[Big-D]

Guess I should feel pretty fortunate with my adjustment, but then again I back up often too. Since owning my 72 Dodge I've learned that you really have to step on the brake pedal fairly hard to make the brake shoes move enough for the self adjusters to work. I also use the emergency brake pedal travel as an indicator of rear brake adjustment requirements. If you push down a greater distance than normal, chances are good, you need an adjustment. Dave

 

[sam peterson]

BIG-D RIGHT ON THE MONEY

 

[Ray J]

Thanks for all the comments guys. I did check for the hell of it and started hearing rubbing after 1 click... so I guess they were pretty-much adjusted. What I have done as far as procedure is to go into a fairly empty lot at night, back up 20-25 ft, jump on brakes hard, drive forward. Repeat process a 2nd time. EB pedal is right up top with travel almost non-existent. Grin, maybe I am one of the lucky ones. I'll keep my eyes on it though and let you know if/when this no longer works. Thanks again for the comments.

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01 2500 Sport, QC, LWB, Auto, 4. 10, 4x4, Camper Pkg, Geno's muffler eliminator pipe, rest is stock for now

 

[sam peterson]

RAY thats the way it is supposed to be done--hard stop backwards then forward, then do it again and again and ag------

 

[RKohn]

Just checked my rear shoes and adjusted them @ 42k. They weren't that far out, but the parking brake pedal was down a little. What a b!tch getting the drums off. It took liquid wrench, heat wrench, and a BFH. Plenty of shoe left, so back on they go.

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Y2K Red Stealth Sport 2500 4X4 QC SLT+, 5-spd, 3. 54 anti-spin, 265-75-16 LTX’s (There ain’t no such thing as options, cause ya gotta have it all, including: DC’s dead cow/vinyl interior and don’t stop anti-lock brakes. ) Stock, but not for long. Oops, too late. What silencer ring? (More fun than my 98 SST)

[This message has been edited by RKohn (edited 02-19-2001). ]

 

[Ray J]

Originally posted by sam peterson:
RAY thats the way it is supposed to be done--hard stop backwards then forward, then do it again and again and ag------

So far the twice routine seems to be working fine. I'd better shut up before I jinx it!

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01 2500 Sport, QC, LWB, Auto, 4. 10, 4x4, Camper Pkg, Tow Pkg, Geno's muffler eliminator pipe, rest is stock for now