Rear Brakes

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I need some help with a definition used on TDR website. What is the definition of a "slight drag" when adjusting the star wheel on the rear brakes (drums)?

I adjusted my rear brakes yesterday morning and I think the brakes are working better. What I did was get both rear wheels off the ground and rotate the star wheel until I could hear the shoes rubbing ever so slightly on the drum. The contact is very light as it is not a constant "shhhhh" when the wheel rotates so the drums may be slightly out of round; I have no reason to believe they are warped. I have Ricksons on the beast so it takes some effort to get the wheel to spin and I am not sure what a slight drag feels like. I guess my question is, based on the very slight "shhhhhh" when rotating the wheel, do I need to crank the star wheel down a bit more and what is the difference or is there a difference between the "shhhhhh" and a slight drag?

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1998 Driftwood Extended Cab,Short Box,12 Valve,4X4,Auto,Dunrite TC,3. 54,Banks Plate,AFC Spring Kit,Isspro EGT,Rickson 19. 5's,Abbott EPRA, Rancho Shocks,Heim Trackbar,Mag-Hytec transmission Pan & Pumpkin Cover,Amzoil Synthetic's,Ranchhand Bull Nose Front Bumper, Headache Rack,Tool Chest,Side Steps,Rear Bumper and 100% Stock Airconditioning.

 

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I'd say you got 'em just about right.

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98 Properly Valved 4x4 SWB QC ISB A/T Metallic Red w/ tan cloth interior, DC nerf bars, DC two piece mud-flaps, 275 h. p. injectors, Monroe Gas Magnums, Armor Tuff spray in bed liner, Goodyear Wrangler ATS 285/75r/16, BD Heavy Duty Valve body. Walker 21468 thru flow muffler,Cobra 29 NWST CB. American Racing Wheels. Power Edge EZ control module.

 

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I replaced the rear shoes and cylinders last night at 56K. They were pretty slick but it does not look like the axle seals or cylinders were leaking. Most of the brake hardware was pretty corroded.

I had the truck up on my five ton stands and adjusted the star wheel just as you did. What you may have to do, is apply and release the parking brake several times between star wheel adjustments. The shoes may not be concentric with the drum when you adjust the star wheel. So, you may have one shoe touching the drum and the other not which is not correct. I also started the truck and applied the brakes several times to center the shoes.

243

[This message has been edited by 243 (edited 11-20-2000). ]

 

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Good advice; I, being a non-expert brake person, did not think of applying the brakes between star wheel adjustments to center the shoes. I will adjust them again tomorrow night before the Turkey Day Galveston road trip wednesday morning. It's about time my 12 year old learned how to adjust the brakes on the truck he may be taking to college #ad


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1998 Driftwood Extended Cab,Short Box,12 Valve,4X4,Auto,Dunrite TC,3. 54,Banks Plate,AFC Spring Kit,Isspro EGT,Rickson 19. 5's,Abbott EPRA, Rancho Shocks,Heim Trackbar,Mag-Hytec transmission Pan & Pumpkin Cover,Amzoil Synthetic's,Ranchhand Bull Nose Front Bumper, Headache Rack,Tool Chest,Side Steps,Rear Bumper and 100% Stock Airconditioning.

 

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Still going on my original rear brake shoes, Have 115,000 on them now. Got 80,000 out of the first set of front pads, and they still had a little left. Will change the rear shoes sometime in the next few weeks.

 

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The correct way to do it is to pull the rear wheels off, remove the axles to eliminate axle drag, and adjust them until you can just about barely turn the drums by hand with moderate force and that they'll stop turning once you let go of them.

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Chris Timochko
1997 5sp 4X4, HX40, BD 4" Brake, Marine Compression, Custom Tuned Injection Pump, 370B Injection Nozzles, Delivery Valves, Governor & AFC Spring Kit, Psychotty Air, Water Injection, NOS Diesel Kit, 6" Chrome Exhaust System, No Smoke Valet Switch, McLeod Dual Disc Clutch, Mag-Hytec Rear Cover, Cummins Chrome Kit, Optima Red Tops, Hadley Bully Horns, Hurst Line Loc, Goodyear Wrangler AT/S 305/70/16s. Test mule for Auto Wurks Diesel race program

 

[Archive]

There is a tool listed in the FSM for adjusting the brakes with the drums off. It measures the inside diameter of the drum and allows you to duplicate that measurement on the shoes. Very similar to what you are recommending.

243