Steps to Properly Adjust Drum Brakes After Replacing Brake Shoes

How to Adjust Drum Brakes After Replacing Shoes

Replacing drum brake shoes is a crucial maintenance task that can significantly improve your vehicle's braking performance. However, simply installing new shoes isn’t enough; proper adjustment is essential to ensure optimal braking efficiency and safety. In this article, we will guide you through the steps needed to adjust your drum brakes after replacing the shoes.

Understanding Drum Brakes

Before we dive into the adjustment process, let’s briefly understand how drum brakes work. Drum brakes consist of a drum, brake shoes, and a wheel cylinder. When you press the brake pedal, hydraulic pressure causes the wheel cylinder to push the brake shoes outward against the inner surface of the drum, creating friction that slows down the vehicle. Over time, brake shoes wear down, and replacing them is necessary for safe operation. But new shoes must also be adjusted properly to access the full range of braking efficiency.

Tools and Materials Needed

Before you start the adjustment process, make sure you have the following tools and materials

Steps to Adjust Drum Brakes

1. Safety First Begin by ensuring the car is on a flat surface. Use the jack to lift the vehicle and secure it with jack stands. Remove the rear wheels with a lug wrench to access the brake drums.

2. Remove the Brake Drum Carefully slide off the brake drums. If they are stuck, you may need to tap them gently with a hammer or use a rubber mallet to loosen them. Once the drums are removed, visually inspect the brake assembly for any signs of wear or damage.

3. Install New Brake Shoes Following the manufacturer's instructions, install the new brake shoes. Make sure all hardware is tightened according to specifications and that the shoes are properly seated in place.

4. Adjust the Brake Shoes This is the critical step. With the brake shoes installed, it’s time to adjust them to ensure they are close enough to the drum for effective braking but not so tight that they rub against the drum, which can cause premature wear.

- Locate the Adjuster Look for the star wheel adjuster located between the two brake shoes. If necessary, you can use a brake-adjusting tool or a flathead screwdriver to turn the adjuster. - Adjusting the Shoes Turn the star wheel adjuster clockwise to expand the shoes and counterclockwise to retract them. Adjust the shoes until they lightly contact the drum when you spin it. - Test the Drum’s Movement After adjusting, spin the drum by hand. It should turn freely with a slight drag. If it feels too tight, back off the adjustment slightly.

5. Check Brake Pedal Feel After reassembling everything, press the brake pedal a few times to seat the shoes properly. You should feel a firm resistance. If the pedal feels spongy, recheck your adjustments.

6. Reinstall the Drums and Wheels Place the drums back on, ensuring they are seated correctly. Reinstall the wheels and lower the vehicle back to the ground. Make sure to tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern to ensure a secure fit.

7. Final Test Before driving, do a brake test at low speed in a safe area. Check for any unusual sounds and ensure that the brakes feel solid and responsive.

Conclusion

Adjusting drum brakes after replacing the shoes is essential for ensuring that your vehicle brakes effectively and safely. By following these steps, you can achieve the right adjustment that will provide improved stopping power and extend the life of your brake components. Regularly maintaining your braking system will promote safer driving and enhance the overall performance of your vehicle. Always remember that if you are unsure about any aspect of brake maintenance, it is best to consult with a professional mechanic.