2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Engaging rear drum brake self-adjusters

[dalton4]

This worked for me and I'm passing it on for you to try. I did some searching and didn't see where others had used this method.



Depress emergency brake pedal until all slack is gone and you feel resistance. Back up vehicle and get on the brakes with very firm pressure. Release emergency brake, pull forward a few feet and repeat the process until you get max benefit.



As I see it, with slack rear adjustment the master cylinder piston will stop from front brake pressure before the rear cylinders can engage shoes correctly to drum for self adjusting. By depressing the emergency brake you have the rear cylinders getting the required cylinder fluid action from master cylinder. A firm brake application is require for the adjusters.

 

[pgleavitt]

That sounds like it would work to me. I just pulled off the rear drums on my 3500 with 117,000 miles and found almost no wear. This indicates to me that my rear brakes have not been working like they should. Thanks. I will try this next time the pedal gets a little more travel and see if this will firm it up. By the way I used the pull the tires off, install 2 lug nuts and in reverse hit the brakes and both drums came right off without the usual hassel to remove.

 

[darom]

dalton4 , will this stop my truck rolling backwards on a hill with the emergency brake engaged? I tightened up the nut under the truck bed on the brake line, but it didn't help much.



Thanks!

'94 4x4 2500, std. cab

 

[CCutshaw]

Darom, I just pulled my rear wheels this week end. My adjusters where still at minium. I turned the star wheel to where the drums would just slip on snug (about four turns) then back of a couple of clicks. Then brought up the parking brake cable to where the pedal would click about 8 times when pushed.



My truck only has 30k on it and it was time for a good cleaning and inspection.



You need to pull the drums and have a look. Just adjusting the parking brake cable is not enough. Good luck



Calvin

 

[dalton4]

Daron, you should have firm emergency brake pedal action before the pedal bottoms out. This will reguire an adjustment balance as covered by Calvin.

You could have little to no holding power if your truck was setup with a low e-brake adjustment and is now faced with slack adjusters and some cable stretching. The method I posted raised both of my brake pedals and should help your situation.

 

[darom]

Thanks, guys. I will pull the tires off and drums to chech the adjustment. As far as I understand the Chevy drum's design is pretty much the same as Dodge's.