Rear self-adjusters?

Anybody know how the rear brake shoe self adjusters actuate? Is it by using the e-brake? Backing up? Other? Thanks

 

Back up about 5 mph, step on the e-brake to stop. Repeat several times.
I've found self adjusters to be somewhat lacking so I adjust the rear brakes manually once a year. Stop quicker and save those front brakes.

 

I may be wrong. But I don’t believe using the E-brake while in reverse is needed.
Applying the Normal (big pedal) brakes and using the E-brake regularly seems to do fine.

Actually, if you want to get technical. Toyota only states to “manually adjust them”.
I personally adjust mine until I can hear a slight drag while spinning the rear tire.
Then call it good.

BTW, I’m not saying your method is wrong.
I just don’t think it matters if you use the E-brake or regular brakes?
If it does indeed matter, someone will come along soon enough and correct me. Lol

 

It doesn't work, its only to take up large slack but it will never self adjust properly.

It's a good idea to adjust the parking brakes to have slight drag every tire rotation, it doesnt take much.

 

Self-adjusting rear drum brakes came out in the 1960's. The faster you drive in reverse the faster they'll self-adjust. You can use the main brake pedal. If you manually adjust the rear brakes and you get better braking than the self adjusters get then there is a problem with the self-adjusters/springs or you're manually adjusting the brakes too tight and are wearing out the rear shoes needlessly. Other than to remove the drum or installing new shoes I haven't touched one of those star wheels in decades, even after installing new shoes you don't need to manually adjust them.

Flame away, I won't be back in this thread to read the clueless naysayers replies.

 

Since we are all speaking on personal experiences, here is mine:

I usually pump my brakes when in reverse and coming to a stop.
I use the parking brake religiously. If I'm parked the brake is on.

I haven't adjusted the rear brakes on any of my many vehicles in probably 40 years at least with the exception of after installing new rear shoes.

I suppose if you do a lot of water crossings and mud runs they could and probably do get sticky and fail to adjust on their own.

When I install shoes I use the manufacturers procedure:

 

Whatever the intended design is it does not work very well.
I may be all wet about this but it seems like a rocking motion may work best in advancing the little ratcheting mechanism.

 

I’m about 60% sure this generalization is correct. If the star adjuster is at the top, they are self adjusted by applying the E brake. If the star adjuster is at the bottom, they are self adjusted by backing up and stepping on the brakes.

 

This exactly my experience.
The main reason I use the E-brake is carried over from when I drove Manual Trans vehicles.
I have never had to adjust rear brakes except AFTER installing the shoes.
I have never had to touch them since.

On a side note, I have had to adjusted the cables on a front wheel drive Honda, but only because we were kids. We did stupid things. I’ll let you guys guess what we were doing?