Posted by Ben on June 21, 19100 at 07:02:56:
In Reply to: Re: Rear Brake adjusters - true... posted by PeteL on June 21, 19100 at 04:50:44:
The rear shoes must rotate *BACKWARDS* about 10deg-15deg in order to engage the self adjuster pawl, but if they aren't adjusted tight enough they won't engage enough to actually rotate...hence the "some times" to "never" works comments.
Your buddy who uses 4x4Lo gets around this because he needs to really get "on" the brakes in compound low. Bet he actually skids the fronts while doing this. Hard on the components, but works.
Consider or try setting the parking brake pedal to just *BEFORE* there is contact or resistance. Then back up several times, allowing the brake shoes to be pulled back by their springs. This resets the adjusting pawl. Repeat several times and readjusting the parking brake pedal. You will really notice the brake pedal become firmer, sooner in it's stroke.
This is how I advise my friends to check to see if their shelf adjusters are working and/or if they need adjustment. Set the parking pedal just before there is contact or resistance. Drive it and use the brakes. If the brake pedal feels closer to the top and/or the braking improves, their rear shoes need adjustment.
CAUTION: your rear shoes maybe near or already at the end of their life (exposed rivets) and can damage the drum surface. Listen for metal to metal when doing the above and discontinue and replace the the shoes.
-Ben