real time help needed. rear drums

I did search, but came up empty, I know the answer is out there somewhere.

I just pulled my rear wheels off and was replacing some lugs that broke while changing tires. Pass side no problem, driver side drum was very hard to get off, I checked to ensure that the hand brake was off! Finally got the drumoff, which pulled the shoes little green springs off. I replaced lugs then reinstalled green springs. But the drum doesn’t want to slide on. Am I missing something or can I adjust the hand brake inside the drum (how?).

I know everyone loves pictures, so here are some.

little green spring that fell off when pulling the drums.

is this the parking brake ajustment dial


Thanks in advance

 

you need to adjust the shoes before taking off the drums so you can get them back on.

the geared wheel you pictured is the adjuster.

remove the rubber plug in the back

hold the stop away from the wheel with one hand

rotate the wheel with the other hand and bring in the shoes in

then install drum

tighten the wheel

ill look for the exact directions but this should get you started.

in the future never take the drums off without loosening. you risk damaging the brakes. if your drums pull right off then they most likely were not adjusted properly last time someone messed with them.

 

x2 only when "tightening" the shoes back up, make sure you tighten them just enough to where they are dragging with slight resistance when the wheel is turned by hand (have the tire installed for this). Make sure you give the brake pedal a few pumps after each adjustment to re-center the shoes.

 

OP - skip step 1 & 2 under removal and skip steps 3 & 4 for disassembley

 

OK got it thanks.
two question?
1) i was able to adjusted from the front because the drums were already off, but it looks like there is a little lock that keeps it from spinning. How would you both push the lock out and spin from the backside?
2) do I now need to retighten the other side, as it just slid off.
Thanks again for the quick replys.

 

1) I used small screw drivers. One hand holding the bar away from the wheel and the other moving the wheel. it's a PITA

2) yes until it has slight drag from the brakes hitting the drum

 

I usually use a flat blade screw driver to hold the retainer back, then another screw driver to turn the star wheel.

I would adjust both sides in the way I described in my other post, it is a regular maintenance thing that lots of people neglect which can cause warping/premature wear of the front brakes.

edit: he beat me to it

 

Nevermind, I got both answers from you guys.
your the best!!!
reps to you guys, but I don't know how

 

IDK about that


but your welcome all the same

 

what you shoulda done was take the adjuster off. clean it and lube it put it back on collapsed. install drum then adjust shoes with wheel on there. drums are old school. im old school. also lube where the shoes touch the backing plate. next time release the adjuster first. the drum will come right off then

 

Nice i was looking for this too.

 

This X2.

Both the parking brake (emergency) brake and braking when backing actuates the star adjuster. The lever that was suggested above that you hold back is actually the adjuster that tightens the star wheel when backing up and using the parking brake. Other than when you replace or remove the drums you should never have to adjust the rear brakes. I would not recommend lubricating the star wheel adjuster with anything other than a dry lubricant. Grease only tends to hold brake dust which will harden and bind the adjuster.

 

i used the push out threaded holes to break the drum loose. not sure of the thread number/size. looks like some rust had set up in between the lug studs which needed to be broken loose.

i tried to remember kind of where the adjuster was before i ran it all the way in to make getting the main spring off easier. then when i get everything put back, maybe try to put it back with compensation for the new shoes, then let the auto adjuster dial it in...