2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Rear Disc Brake Adjustment

[MBowser]

Anyone know how to adjust the E-Brake for the rear with discs? Someone had mentioned that they were like adjusting drums but i can't find the little cogged gear... I have a 02

 

[PC12Driver]

The drums are a separate mechanism from the disc brakes. Follow the e-brake cable to the dust covers on the back of the hubs. Behind that cover are the e-brake shoes, and they're just a small version of normal drum brakes. The adjuster will be behind a rubber plug on the opposite side of the axle that the cable enters (i. e. the cable goes in top, plug is on the bottom - opposite for the other side). Pop the plug and you'll find the starwheel. Flip the starwheel until you feel the wheel start to drag as you spin it (a flat blade screwdriver will work), and then back it off slightly.

 

[kscheffler]

Pc12

I assume you move this star wheel with the park brake not applied? I just want to make sure I need to adjust mine.

 

[PC12Driver]

That is correct. Brake off and wheel off the ground. Some say adjust 'till you feel the drag and then leave it, others (and this is what I do) say adjust until drag is felt and then back off slightly.



As far as which way to flip the starwheel - I can't remember. If the starwheel stops and you haven't felt it drag yet, the adjustment rod has bottomed out on the short side and you've spun it the wrong way. Cuss me out while you spin it in the opposite direction to expand the shoes against the drum. It's a 50/50 chance, so your odds are pretty good...

 

[Batphreak]

Here's a trick for which way to turn the star wheel. That wheel is adjusted automatically by a little lever when you step on the brakes in reverse. The lever rides on the outboard side of the wheel and pushes it down. So, moving the outboard side of the wheel down will expand the shoes and up will contract the shoes. since a brake spoon or screwdriver turns the star wheel on the inboard side the direction is opposite the automatic adjustment. Took a few times turning it the wrong way myself to burn this into my head.

 

[PC12Driver]

It's not automatically adjusted on the disk brake trucks, but maybe the theory still works for the direction. As in, flip the starwheel away from the axle to expand... ?

 

[kscheffler]

I took a shot at this project this weekend and thought it would be good to document what I did for others. The passanger side was easy the start wheel was located under the axle so it was easy to SEE what you are doing. I rotated the wheel AWAY from the axle and it did help the e brake to tighten. THe drivers side was another story the acess for the star wheel is on top of the axle and even with the tire off it is impossible to see what you are doing. I never did adjust the drivers side because I could not see with the small mirro that I had what I was doing. How did you adjust the drivers side? Even with only adjusting the pass side the ebrake works great now but it is obvious the pass side is doing all the work. I am curious how you were able to SEE what you were doing. I quess I need a bigger mirror. Do you think that the wheel rotation should be opposite the pass side when I do go back and make this adjustment? I want to get it right it is going to be hard enough with the lack of sight to the adjustment wheel. The pass side was definitely a rotate away from the axle so I would think the drivers would be the same?

 

[PC12Driver]

You shouldn't need to see what's going on. I didn't even try to look. The starwheel will stop turning if you go to far the wrong way. You dont' have to worry about anything coming apart in that case, it will just be a lot of flips to get it back the other way. Usually you should start to feel drag on the tire after a few flips of the starwheel.

 

[MarkEkberg]

What tool are people using to get into the drivers side? Regular spoons dont work, and there are no specialty tools even at the dealer.

Might try heating and bending a long thin flat head driver? What else have people done?

 

[Bob4x4]

I have a bent brake adjusting tool that I've had for over 40 years that works fine.Not custom bent right off the shelf

 

[MarkEkberg]

I have a bent brake adjusting tool that I've had for over 40 years that works fine.Not custom bent right off the shelf

Picture so I know about how far to bend?