Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) rear brake adjuster (star wheel)

[JRS]

changed out my rear wheel cylinders on my 3/4 ton this past weekend. I tried to adjust the star wheel on the passenger side and it wouldn't budge. Finally gave up and bought a new one. Took the old one and put it in a vise. grabbed the star with some vise-grips and it still wouldn't budge. Finally hit it with the air chisel and got it to move. the only reason I worked on the brakes was to change out the rear wheel cylinders, didn't have any other brake problems. Funny, when I went to the auto parts store, the passenger side star wheel is the only one they stock. And when I walked through the door, the guy behind the counter new exactly what part I had in my hand and what kind of truck it came off of. he knew it was a 3/4 or 1 ton too.

 

[Bseg]

Interesting, I will be messing with my star wheels in the next week or so trying to back off the shoes so that I can get the drums removed. Seems like a ridge builds up in there and the drums don't want to come off. I will report if I have a similar problem.

 

[illflem]

Bseg the problem isn't a ridge, the drum is just rusted on. Jack the rear end up, put it on blocks or jackstands, remove wheels, replace a couple of lug nuts loosely on each side, start then slam on the brakes in forward and reverse. Gets them every time, in fact if you don't replace a couple of lug nuts you may be chasing a drum down the street...

 

[Reddog1]

illflem - You work on a lot of these, do you see the passenger side star wheel as a common problem?



Oh yea illflem, how many MPH before you slam on the brakes? LOL







Wayne

 

[Jim Fulmer]

in fact if you don't replace a couple of lug nuts you may be chasing a drum down the street...



Or across the shop... lesson learned

 

[illflem]

Wayne, on both my trucks the passenger side doesn't self adjust while the driver's side does. I've taken both sides apart and lubed well with anti-seize, everything looked fine, didn't make a bit of difference. I adjust mine manually at every oil change, passenger side usually takes 10-15 clicks, driver's side none.



You'd be surpised how far you can run the speedo up with the tires off the ground, pretty easy to zap it.

 

[drees1]

Originally posted by illflem

Wayne, on both my trucks the passenger side doesn't self adjust while the driver's side does. I've taken both sides apart and lubed well with anti-seize, everything looked fine, didn't make a bit of difference. I adjust mine manually at every oil change, passenger side usually takes 10-15 clicks, driver's side none.



You'd be surpised how far you can run the speedo up with the tires off the ground, pretty easy to zap it.

Just extend that comment to all Dana full floating axles!! I have never seen those adjusters work right. Had several Fords, same thing. A dozen Power Pukes in our CAT service fleet, same thing!! New adjusters, old, aftermarket, etc. etc...



DANA, ARE YOU LISTENING????



Doug Rees

 

[dphillipsx]

Wish I had known that secret to removing the drums a couple of months ago. Spent most of a day trying to get the drums off as I had been negligent and allowed my shoes to go metal to metal. Cost me over $400 to get fixed including a new drum and wheel cylinders.



By the way , I had 1 ton cylinders installed on my 3/4 ton, and the were 8 bucks cheaper. has anyone else used them and will it hurt the braking system ?? :{ :{

 

[illflem]

Most folks call using 3500 brake cylinders on a 2500 an upgrade. Many even replace the 2500 cylinders when nothing is wrong with them. The 3500 cylinder has a larger diameter and will give you more braking force.