9 replies to this topic

[Zacherius]

Can anyone just confirm how tight the brakes should be on the rear drum brakes ?
Is it free spinning when in neutral, or "quite" hard to turn !

[SolarB]

With the back end jacked up the rear wheels should be free spinning.

[sixtyeight]

Is it free spinning when in neutral

shouldn't matter what gear you're in!

to adjust drums.. tighten adjusters till wheel is full locked.. then back off until wheel spins freely. basically anyway.

[T.Harper]

It should spin but you should hear the leading edge of the shoes slightly scrape

[Guess-Works.com]

Correction, when adjust correctly there should be slight resistance (shoes on drum) which is balanced throughout the rotation of the wheel... You should not have spots which bind, and like wise spots which free wheel...

If you do then it's time for some new drums and shoes.

When adjusting the brakes, make sure you operate both the foot and hand brake through this process, as it will centralise the shoes in the drum.

Edited by GuessWorks.co.uk, 17 October 2008 - 10:21 AM.

[Guess-Works.com]

It should spin but you should hear the leading edge of the shoes slightly scrape

Fewer words are obviously quicker to type.... lol

[T.Harper]

It should spin but you should hear the leading edge of the shoes slightly scrape

Fewer words are obviously quicker to type.... lol

Lol

but yours is detailed with a procedure description (me brown nosing!)

[Ethel]

A good test is to let the car come to a stop without using the brakes if you can sense the brakes bringing it to a stop rather than natural, steady, deceleration they're too tight. You can just push the car and get a similar idea but it's better if the brakes have warmed up. While you're adjusting them remember the adjuster peg has 4 flats, so they adjust in 90 degree steps. Press the pedal to centre the shoes properly, spinning the wheels backwards releases the shoes from the drums, because of where the leading edge is: if there's a difference between spinning the wheel forwards and backwards they're certainly binding.

[Boomboy77]

I normally tighten the adjuster up til the brake locks solid, then back em off 2 flats (180 degrees) normally a gentle tap or 10 with a mallet centres the shoes if you are on your own doing it.

[mk3 Cooper S]

Just adjust until you have a slight drag on the drum.