Do our trucks have self-adjusting rear brakes?

[JB @ C and L Machine]

I ask cause my truck just started to act like my fathers old Ferd. His truck had the self adjusting brakes that were suppose to when you backed up. When they were out of adjustment they would be real grabby, Which my truck is doing right now. FYI its a 99 with drums.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Yes....

... Allegedly!!

 

[TowPro]

Yes they do self adjust, but just enough to keep the pedel from going to the floor!



I think I read in the manual somewhere that even Dodge recomends adjusting the rear brakes at every oil change.



IF you keep after the adjustment your front brakes will last longer.



But be sure you don't adjust them to tight where they are still dragging when the brakes are off, this will cause the shoes and maybe drums to get heat cracks, which depending on where you get your parts could be expensive.

Originally posted by John B. Cohen

I ask cause my truck just started to act like my fathers old Ferd. His truck had the self adjusting brakes that were suppose to when you backed up. When they were out of adjustment they would be real grabby, Which my truck is doing right now. FYI its a 99 with drums.

 

[The patriot]

Theyre supposed to be... .

Mine worked fine up to about a year ago, then , dont work.

I pulled the drums, plenty of meat left on the shoes. Cleaned it all up, and never seized the adjusters, and contact points on the shoes.

Theyre better, but not as good as they once were.

Eric

 

[JB @ C and L Machine]

thanks guys... I know what I will be doing after work.

 

[MJawsman]

Sometimes "grabby" brakes can mean a leaking axle seal. Better check for a wet backing plate too!

 

[BV]

Self Adjusting brakes

Thanks from reminding me - Time to adjust the rears drums by my self. Even the owners manual has a blip in there about checking them every oil change.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Forgot to mention.....

... in my earlier post in this thread..... when you take the rear tires/rims off, it's useful to put some copperslip on before you put them back - when you're checking the self-adjustment functionality of these adjusters. At my last tire rotation, the rear tires/rims felt as if they had been welded onto the drum - due no doubt to the radical winter weather in Europe earlier this year.



JMc

 

[Rammin On]

Yup ..... they are self adjusting ... self gets under there and adjusts them at every oil change ... .

 

[Dodge-Tech]

Hey, JB

Just give em' a few clicks once a month thru the plugs in the backing plate. Works like a charm!

 

[Joe Mc]

JB - like everyone else said - do it yourself don't rely on the self (not) adjusters.

 

[JB @ C and L Machine]

Just an update

I jacked up the truck and gave them a few clicks... didnt want to over do it... . I took it for a ride and it is much better ... but could use a lil more... thanks again... JB

 

[DieselDoghouse]

Yes, our brakes are self-adjusting; and I—am a humble genius (both strictly in theory) you have my word on it.

The theory is that increased play between the shoes and the drum will allow the brake shoes to 'shuffle' along with the drum's rotation. This is used by the adjusting lever to click the star wheel. shuffle down? (click) shuffle up? for the next cycle. In theory happens until: there isn't enough slack for the shuffle. Backing up alone will NOT adjust the brakes, you have to have alternate rotation of the drum. OR you can just lay out the brake spoon and some cookies on a rock in the grass and at nite under a full moon the brake elf appear and adjust them for you (also sounds nice in theory!)

 

[Wheaties]

Okay guys, so the rear drums are self adjusting. What if you have all wheel disk brakes?



Matt