Steps to Properly Adjust Drum Brakes for Optimal Car Performance

How to Adjust Drum Brakes on a Car

Maintaining your vehicle’s braking system is crucial for safety and performance. One important aspect of brake maintenance is making sure the drum brakes are properly adjusted. Drum brakes, commonly found on the rear wheels of many vehicles, can require periodic adjustments to ensure they perform optimally. Below is a guide on how to adjust drum brakes on a car, enhancing both safety and reliability.

Understanding Drum Brakes

Drum brakes consist of several components, including the brake drum, shoes, wheel cylinder, and adjuster. When you press the brake pedal, hydraulic pressure pushes the wheel cylinder, causing the shoes to press against the inside of the drum, creating friction to slow the vehicle down. Over time, as the brake shoes wear down, they may not make contact with the drum effectively, necessitating an adjustment.

Tools You’ll Need

Before you begin the adjustment process, gather the following tools

- Jack and jack stands - Lug wrench - Brake adjuster tool or flathead screwdriver - Safety goggles - Gloves

1. Prepare Your Vehicle Begin by parking your car on a level surface, engaging the parking brake, and turning off the ignition. Place wheel chocks behind the front wheels for added safety.

2. Loosen the Wheel Nuts Using a lug wrench, slightly loosen the nuts on the rear wheels that you will be working on. Do not remove them entirely yet.

3. Jack Up the Vehicle Utilize the car jack to lift the rear of your vehicle off the ground, ensuring it's secure on jack stands.

4. Remove the Wheels With the car safely elevated, fully remove the wheel nuts and take off the rear wheels to expose the drum brakes.

5. Inspect the Brakes Before adjusting, inspect the brake components for any visible wear or damage, including the brake shoes, drum surface, and springs. Replace any worn parts before proceeding with the adjustment.

6. Locate the Adjuster Most drum brake systems feature an adjuster wheel or star-shaped adjuster located near the bottom of the brake assembly. This is what you will use to adjust the brake shoes.

7. Adjust the Brake Shoes Insert a brake adjuster tool or flathead screwdriver into the slot in the backing plate. Rotate the adjuster in the direction indicated (usually clockwise) to expand the shoes outward. Keep adjusting until you feel resistance when trying to spin the drum by hand. It should just begin to bind but not be excessively tight.

8. Check the Drum's Spin After making the adjustment, spin the drum by hand to ensure it moves freely without excessive friction. If it’s too tight, back off the adjuster slightly.

9. Reassemble Everything Once the brakes are adjusted properly, re-install the rear wheels and tighten the lug nuts by hand. Lower the vehicle back to the ground using the jack and then fully tighten the lug nuts in a criss-cross pattern for even distribution.

10. Test the Brakes Before driving the vehicle on public roads, test the brakes by pressing the pedal several times. Start the engine and check that the brake pedal feels firm. Take a short, careful test drive to ensure the brakes are functioning correctly.

Final Thoughts

Adjusting your drum brakes is a crucial part of vehicle maintenance that can greatly impact your safety and driving experience. Regular checks, especially if you notice reduced braking performance or a spongy pedal feel, can prevent more extensive repairs down the line. If you’re ever in doubt during the adjustment process or if you encounter significant issues, don’t hesitate to seek professional assistance. A well-maintained braking system will not only ensure your safety on the road but will also extend the lifespan of your vehicle's braking components.