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CEG\'er
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This is actually for my other vehicle, a (coughs imbarassedly) Chevy S10 Blazer.It's the wifes car really. Anyway, this past summer I replaced the brake shoes and springs. The cylinders looked fine and the drum was great. Anyhoo, now that the roads are icy I've noticed that the back tires still spin when appling the brakes so they actually still push if we're on ice...NOT GOOD. I seem to remember that where the parking brake attaches, it looks like it turns the shoe spreader thingy thus always adjusting the shoes as the get worn. Is this correct? I think that the shoes are just not tight enough to the drum because there is no leakage and both wheels do it. If the emergency brake does adjust the tension, can I just apply the brake a bunch of times till it gets tight? I don't usually use the parking brake so if that is how the system work it wouldn't. Thanks guys!
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Joined: Jul 2000
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b0x @dm1n
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b0x @dm1n
Joined: Jul 2000
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Most vehicles with drum brakes have adjusters. Most are supposed to be self adjusting but usually need some help. Often a special tools is need, looks like a mini crow bar, to adjust the brakes. Go to any shop and ask them to adjust them. Shouldn't take them much more than 15 min.
-Andy
Andy W.
The problem with America is stupidity.
I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment
for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety
labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?
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CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
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On the rear brakes there is a "star adjuster" and as mentioned in the above post there is a tool used to move the shoes closer to the drum...there usually a small cut out on the drum to allow access to the star adjuster without having to remove the drum..personally tho the last thing i'd want is a locking rear wheel on ice...just pretend u have rear wheel ABS...as most of your stopping power comes from the front brakes i think something like 70%
98 Silver Frost EO
90 Grand Am H.O. Quad 4 300,000+ miles
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Joined: Dec 2003
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The problem is that if I'm on a sidestrett which is icy and I pull up to the stop sign, the rear wheel push me into oncoming traffic even though I have the brakes on and this is my wife's car so it makes me extremely nervous.I do know how to adjust them but I though it might work to do it with the parking brake so I don't have to do it in the cold.
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Addicted CEG\'er
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Don't they adjust when you brake in reverse? I could be wrong, I've been wrong before.
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Joined: May 2002
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I have no life
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I have no life
Joined: May 2002
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Originally posted by bk4293:
Don't they adjust when you brake in reverse? I could be wrong, I've been wrong before.
Yes they do. I'm not sure if this fully adjusts them or not, but if you remove the drum it's got this thing you can sorta turn,, not sure if that was the adjuster thing or not... Just throw some new shoes on there and brake a few times in reverse and it should all be good. 
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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A lot of RWD vehicles do that. Drop it in neutral at the stop. It happens more when the idle is high like when the engine is still cold.
It's what I used to do. Chevy Impala did it, Hornet did it, Datsun 210 did it. Rear brakes do not apply much force. If they lock up before fronts, you do a 180. So most proportioning valves don't allow much pressure. On the positive side, my Toyota Pickup had original factory rear brakes at 107K miles and were only about half worn.
My name is Richard. I was a Contouraholic.
NOW: '02 Mazda B3000 Dual Sport, Black
BEFORE: '99 Contour SE Sport
Duratec ATX Spruce Green
PIAA 510's, Foglight MOD, K&N Drop-in
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b0x @dm1n
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b0x @dm1n
Joined: Jul 2000
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Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
Originally posted by bk4293:
Don't they adjust when you brake in reverse? I could be wrong, I've been wrong before.
Yes they do. I'm not sure if this fully adjusts them or not, but if you remove the drum it's got this thing you can sorta turn,, not sure if that was the adjuster thing or not... Just throw some new shoes on there and brake a few times in reverse and it should all be good.
He's not asking about a Contour! Like I said they should self adjust but alot need some help! Just go to a shop and tell them you problem. They should have it done in a few minutes for you!
-Andy
Andy W.
The problem with America is stupidity.
I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment
for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety
labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 194
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Nov 2003
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The majority of self-adjusting brakes do their adjusting in reverse, the idea being that you are going to back up at least once a day. When replacing rear brakes you should back up several times until you them gripping like they should, it's a lot easier than laying under there and trying to figure out if you're going the right direction. 
Sarge43
"00" Tique 2.0L I4 ATX
"98" Mustang 3.8L V6 AT
The reason there's so much ignorance is that those who have it are so eager to share it.
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 95
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Oct 2003
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Using the star adjuster is the best way to get the drums in close contact with the drum
98 Silver Frost EO
90 Grand Am H.O. Quad 4 300,000+ miles
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