Steps for Effectively Adjusting Your Drum Parking Brake System

How to Adjust a Drum Parking Brake A Step-by-Step Guide

Maintaining the safety and functionality of your vehicle is crucial, and one of the pivotal components that ensure your car stays stationary when parked is the parking brake, often referred to as the handbrake. If you find that the parking brake is not holding your vehicle effectively, it might be time to adjust it. In this article, we’ll go through the necessary steps to adjust a drum parking brake.

Understanding the Drum Parking Brake

Drum parking brakes operate within a brake drum, which is a cylindrical drum attached to the wheel hub. When the parking brake lever is pulled, it activates brake shoes that expand against the inner surface of the drum, creating friction to hold the vehicle in place. Over time, these components can wear down or become misaligned, requiring adjustment.

Tools You’ll Need

Before starting, gather the following tools and materials - Jack and jack stands - Lug wrench - Adjustable wrench or sockets - Screwdriver (flathead and Phillips) - Brake cleaner - Wrenches for adjusting the brake cables - Ruler or tape measure

Step-by-Step Adjustment Process

1. Safety First Prepare the Vehicle Begin by parking your vehicle on a flat, level surface. Ensure the engine is off and the key is removed from the ignition. Engage the main brake and place wheel chocks behind the front wheels for added safety.

2. Lift the Vehicle Use a jack to lift the rear of the vehicle and secure it with jack stands. It’s crucial to ensure the vehicle is stable and will not move while you are working on it.

3. Remove the Wheel Use a lug wrench to remove the lug nuts and take off the rear wheel on the side where you are adjusting the parking brake. This exposes the brake assembly and drum.

4. Inspect the Brake Components Before making any adjustments, visually inspect the brake drums and shoes for wear. If the brake shoes are excessively worn, replacing them may be necessary before attempting adjustments.

5. Locate the Adjustment Mechanism In drum brake systems, you typically find an adjuster mechanism between the brake shoes. This is often a threaded rod that connects to the brake shoes and can be adjusted to increase or decrease the space between them.

6. Adjust the Brake Shoes Rotate the adjuster to expand the shoes outward until they are lightly pressing against the drum. You should be able to spin the drum with some resistance. Ensure the drum doesn’t grip too tightly; you should feel a slight drag.

7. Check the Cable Tension If you have a handbrake that is too loose, you can also adjust the tension in the cable. Locate the cable adjustment nut, usually found under the vehicle near the rear. Using a wrench, tighten or loosen this nut to achieve the desired tension. It’s important to have a good feel so that the parking brake lever engages around 4-5 clicks.

8. Reassemble the Components Once you are satisfied with the adjustments, replace the wheel and hand tighten the lug nuts. Lower the vehicle off the jack stands and finish tightening the lug nuts in a star pattern to ensure even distribution.

9. Test the Parking Brake With everything reassembled, test the parking brake by parking the vehicle on a hill or incline. Engage the parking brake and try to push the car forward. If it holds firm without slipping, you’ve successfully adjusted it.

10. Final Checks After confirming that the parking brake operates correctly, ensure that all tools are cleared from the vehicle. Double-check the wheel lug nuts after a short drive to ensure everything remains secure.

Conclusion

Adjusting a drum parking brake is a task that, with proper tools and patience, can significantly enhance the safety of your vehicle. Regular maintenance of your brake system not only ensures optimal performance but also provides peace of mind while driving. If you encounter any issues beyond adjustment, it may be wise to consult a professional mechanic. Remember, good brake function is key to vehicle safety, both for yourself and for others on the road.