Archived Rear Brake Problems.

[BillGotthelf]

I hope posting in this area doesn't become a habit. My truck is jacked up with the rear dualies off but it's way to hot to touch drums. It's a 96 3500 dualie 4x4 and I finished installing EGR's rear brake cylinders, shoes and new spring parts. I adjusted brakes till I heard light scraping and backed up truck a few times to make sure self adjusters worked. Brakes appeared to work very well and I went to Home Depot (20 miles RT) and when I got home brakes on rear drivers side were smoking heavily(burning smell). Anybody know what I could have done wrong? Can you possibly put self adjusters in backward? I will tear apart am tomorrrow to see whats up. Thanks

 

[emjay]

Since no one is taking this one (you've probably figured it out by now anyway), I'll give it a try. I don't think it's possible to install the self adjusters backwards such that they over-tighten the brakes. This is kinda hard to explain, but here goes. Basically each side is a mirror image of the other, and when you are facing the brake assembly with the drum off, turning the wheel on the adjuster down on what is from your view the front edge of the adjuster star should tighten the brakes. The slot in the backing plate should be aligned laterally with the star wheel.



The drum should turn easily by hand in the forward direction with at least two lug nuts snug on the drum.



You might check your parking brake adjustment, especially if it had been adjusted in the past to compensate for worn shoes.



Make sure the parking brake releases fully.

 

[kluther]

after adjusting the star wheel until you here or feel a slight drag of the brakes you should back off the adjuster until no more is felt or heard. the adjuster arms should be labeled R and L. sounds like the adj. is to tight ken