Rear brakes aren't self adjusting.

I've been having to adjust the rear brakes, manually. What could be the problem that they aren't doing it, automatically?

 

Make sure all cable pivot points are lubed/moving freely - and cable is adjusted around 12-16 clicks iirc..
Shoes are of sufficient pad material
Star adjusters are clean and lubed and engaging, are a few things to double check

 

Yep, this is it, has to be able to move,,,, oh, and everytime I park, I put the emergency brake on, which adjusts the brakes if you didn't know already.

 

Bellcranks must move freely and use the parking brake often.

 

This is usually the problem. Most people don't ever check that the bell cranks move freely. There's no glory in it.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I do use the parking brake all of the time. I looked at my brakes, earlier. I tried moving the parking brake bellcranks and I could barely move them. I pulled the drums off and moved the bellranks, again and got a lot more movement out of them. Obviously, there will be more movement without the drums. Everything, moves fine and the pads push out. There are screws on the parking brake bell cranks, which I'm guessing is for adjustment. Would those help?

BTW, my parking brake handle was pulling out a lot to set the brakes. But, after the little bit of adjusting by playing with the bellcranks, the handle is back down where it should be.

 

@cr500taco the screws set the range of motion on the bellcranks.
Also known as STOPS.
With brake off the stops should touch the plate.

 

That makes, sense. Is it possible that they need to be adjusted for more range of motion?

 

Not likely.
They get stuck where they don't return to the stops.

 

I don’t think I’ve ever had a vehicle with drum breaks that the auto adjusters worked as intended. My Tacoma is no different. I just manually adjust them once the pedal starts feeling squishy.

 

Once I go through new to me Toyota 4x4`s they all have worked for me. every thing just my habit

OP you may have a self adjuster issue rather then parking brake problem

A weak or failed spring not holding the arm against the adjuster star wheel not allowing them to adjust or even back off.

Then the shoes need to be adjusted up correct to begin.

It all works together

 

I agree with vern650. My rear drums have NEVER seemed to adjust on their own and I’ve driven the thing in reverse for appreciable distances.

After I learned to adjust the star wheel manually, a bit of a pain I admit, not only did my rear drum brakes work better but my e brake click range dropped to where it needed to be and it worked a lot better as well. The trick is knowing how far to adjust them. Too tight and they’ll rub and generate excess heat, too loose and they won’t engage at all.

 

The adjusters just get them “close”.
They don’t by any means get them to a proper adjustment.

I’d first start by making sure the adjusters turn freely.

I also don’t go by the book (FSM) on adjustment. I adjust until I hear/feel a small drag. (With wheel on). Leave it there. It won’t drag long if done right.

 

That's because that is not how the adjustment occurs. The star wheel gets acted on when setting the parking brake.

 

This is true. But OP says he “always” uses the parking brake.

 

As long as its not sticking cables, this is fairly normal. The self adjustment does work with limitations, usually only when they are massively out of adjustment. You can watch it when someone pull the brake while the drum is off. It's for broad adjustments.

I've gotten really good at adjusting from the access port, but its not recommended without spinning the tire and listening for drag. Easiest way is drum off.

 

I also always use the parking brake and it never seems to make the star wheels adjust but maybe that’s just because I never got them close enough?

I also never have used the adjustment hole in the inside of the wheel but I don’t have a lift so I find that more difficult. I do all my work from the from the ground in my driveway (on jacks) and have found the best way is to remove the wheel and drum cover and adjust the star wheel and install the cover feeling for slight drag. I guess it just goes to show you that there are many ways to skin a cat but this is the one that has worked best for me.

 

I still adjust mine, initially, my old school method. I get it close, slip the hub back on, put the wheel on and turn the wheel, usually rotate spin it till it'll make a full revolution, about, adjusting as needed to get this revolution of "drag".
Making sure the self adjusting is free to move with the parking brake,,, it works well for me. Don't have to touch them again until I pull them down to inspect the shoes and empty all the brake dust out of the drum, usually about every couple of years.

 

You also need to make sure that your parking cable is adjusted correctly. There is an adjuster by the rear drums on both ends and then another under the driver's side near the fuel filter.