how to adjust parking brake on drum brakes

How to Adjust Parking Brake on Drum Brakes

Adjusting the parking brake on a vehicle equipped with drum brakes is an essential maintenance task that ensures your vehicle remains secure when parked. A properly functioning parking brake not only provides safety but also prolongs the lifespan of the braking components. This guide walks you through the steps involved in adjusting the parking brake effectively.

Understanding the Basics

Before diving into the adjustment process, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the components involved. The parking brake, often referred to as the handbrake, operates via cables that engage the rear drum brakes when pulled. Over time, these cables can stretch, or the brake shoes can wear down, leading to a loss of tension and ineffective braking. Regular adjustment helps maintain optimal braking performance.

Tools You’ll Need

To begin the adjustment process, you’ll need the following tools - Jack and jack stands - Lug wrench - Wrench set or socket set - Screwdriver - Torque wrench (optional for lug nut retightening)

Step-by-Step Adjustments

1. Safety First Ensure your vehicle is parked on a flat surface. Engage the regular brakes and put the car in gear (or in ‘Park’ for automatic transmissions). If you’re working on a manual transmission, turn off the engine and place wheel chocks around the front wheels to prevent any rolling.

2. Lift the Vehicle Using a jack, lift the rear of the vehicle. Secure it in place with jack stands to ensure safety during the adjustment.

3. Remove the Rear Wheels Use the lug wrench to take off the rear wheel(s) to access the drum brakes. This step might vary depending on whether you are adjusting one side or both.

4. Inspect the Brake Components With the drums exposed, check the condition of the shoes, springs, and other components. If you notice excessive wear or damage, consider replacing those parts before proceeding with the adjustment.

5. Locate the Adjusting Mechanism Inside the drum, you’ll find the adjusting mechanism, which is usually a star wheel. This part controls the distance between the brake shoes and the drum.

6. Adjust the Brake Shoes Using a screwdriver or a brake adjuster tool, turn the star wheel carefully. You’ll typically want to turn it in a direction that pushes the shoes outward, making contact with the drum. Adjust until you feel slight resistance when spinning the drum but not enough to bind the shoes.

7. Check Cable Tension At the parking brake lever, there is often a cable adjustment mechanism. Pull the parking brake lever several times to seat the shoes properly, then check the tension on the cable. If it feels too loose, adjust it until you have a firm pull, usually about 5 to 7 clicks before feeling resistance.

8. Reassemble the Wheel Once everything is adjusted correctly, reinstall the brake drum and wheel. Ensure that all components are tightened properly. If using a torque wrench, refer to the manufacturer’s specifications for proper torque settings.

9. Lower the Vehicle Carefully remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle back to the ground.

10. Test the Brake Before driving, engage the parking brake and check its effectiveness. Ensure that the vehicle remains stationary and that the parking brake lever feels secure.

Conclusion

Adjusting the parking brake on drum brakes is a straightforward yet vital maintenance task that can enhance your vehicle's safety. Regular checks and adjustments not only keep your parking brake functioning correctly but also contribute to the overall health of your brake system. If you are ever in doubt or find that the adjustments are inadequate, it’s advisable to consult a professional mechanic for a thorough inspection. Keeping your parking brake in good condition ensures peace of mind every time you park your vehicle.