2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Adjusted rear brakes

[Ben Rumson]

I finally got around to doing as Illflem recommends and adjusted the rear brakes manually.



Yes, the rear breaks "should" adjust themselves every time you break while backing, but mine were way out of adjustment.



Made a HUGH difference in breaking ability! No more using only the front breaks to do the stopping. I'm going to make this a routinely scheduled item.



To adjust:

1. Pop off the lowest of the small rubber plugs from the inside of the rear drum housing with a flat head screw driver.

2. Using the same screw driver, rotate the one-way star wheel till you start feeling a bit of firmness when you're rotating the star wheel IE: pads begin to touch the drum.

3. Replace the rubber plug.



Took less than a minute per wheel.

 

[Wirenut]

Cool! I'm doing that tomorrow.

 

[Alan Reagan]

Just in case you get them too tight, you'll have to slide a small screwdriver in, feel up against the side of the starwheel and you'll feel the anti reversing bar. With the small driver, push the anti reversing bar off the star wheel and you can back the brakes off .

 

[Ben Rumson]

Hey Wirenut

Dam# nice lookin' rig !

 

[TowPro]

Hang On Guys, This is to tight! you will end up causing heat, cracking shoes, maybe even drums as the brakes "just rub" against the drums.



What I (used to do) was turn the adjusting star wheel until it started to get tight, then push the screwdriver through the hole, holding the arm off of the star wheel, then back it off 13 teeth. Then spin the wheel to make sure the shoes do not drag on the drums. After you have done this a couple times, you will know the "feel" for it, and you will be able to do it with the wheels on the ground. It should not take long to get used to doing it, being as your sopposed to do it every oil change

 

[illflem]

Alan, I've found it almost impossible to get them too tight with just a screwdriver.



What happens is the shoes adjust unevenly and don't ride in the right place till you apply the brakes. If you think you've overtightened them go apply the brakes once, I can almost guarantee they will have loosened up.



My system for adjusting is a little different, I spin the wheel while turning the adjuster till the brakes just start to drag, that's it.

 

[shendren]

step 1a. jack up both of the tires if it is a 4x4.

 

[csevers]

I have done this since 95

On all my trucks, I used to jack rear end up now that I have the brakes close I just adjust up 3 clicks every oil change at 5k they don't get to close with only 3 clicks and 5k miles of braking, you will get alot better life out of the front pads 62k w/o e brake and now 85k and brake still have lots o life in them.



Craig

 

[Wirenut]

Thanks Ben!

 

[Alan Reagan]

Illflem, I know it is with a little driver. I just pointed out the back off technique for those who go with the "larger" adjuster.