Steps to Properly Adjust Your Rear Drum Parking Brake for Optimal Performance

How to Adjust a Rear Drum Parking Brake

Maintaining the rear drum parking brake is essential for ensuring your vehicle's safety and performance. A properly adjusted parking brake can prevent your vehicle from rolling when parked and can enhance the effectiveness of the braking system. If you’ve noticed that your parking brake isn’t holding as it should, it may need adjusting. In this article, we will walk you through the steps needed to adjust your rear drum parking brake effectively.

Understanding the Parking Brake System

The rear drum parking brake operates differently than the standard disc brake system. Generally, the parking brake uses a set of shoes that press against the inner surface of a drum attached to the rear wheels. When the parking brake lever is activated, these shoes expand and create friction, holding the vehicle in place. Over time, due to wear and tear, these shoes may need adjustment to ensure they make proper contact with the drum.

Tools You Will Need

Before starting the adjustment process, gather the necessary tools - A jack and jack stands - A lug wrench - A flat screwdriver - A brake adjustment tool (if available) - Safety goggles and gloves

Steps to Adjust Your Parking Brake

1. Safety First Begin by placing your vehicle in a safe, flat area. Engage the regular brake and make sure the ignition is off. For added safety, place wheel chocks behind the front wheels to prevent the vehicle from rolling.

2. Raise the Vehicle Use the jack to lift the rear of your vehicle and secure it with jack stands. This will provide access to the rear wheels and allow you to remove the drum.

3. Remove the Rear Wheels Use the lug wrench to remove the nuts securing the rear wheels. Once the nuts are removed, carefully take off the wheels to expose the brake drum.

4. Inspect the Brake Drum Visually inspect the brake drum and the brake shoes for any signs of excessive wear. If the shoes are worn down beyond their service limit, they will need to be replaced before proceeding.

5. Locate the Adjuster Inside the drum, you’ll see the brake shoes. There should be a small opening on the backing plate that allows access to the adjuster. This is often a star wheel or a screw-type adjuster.

6. Adjust the Brake Shoes Using a brake adjustment tool or a flat screwdriver, turn the adjuster to expand the shoes outward. You should feel resistance as the shoes come in contact with the drum. Adjust each side equally to maintain balance.

7. Check for Free Play After making the adjustments, reassemble the brake drum and wheels but do not fully tighten the lug nuts yet. With the vehicle still raised, pull the parking brake lever several times. This action should set the shoes against the drum. Then, check to see if the wheels can freely spin. If they can spin with little effort, the shoes might need further adjustment.

8. Reassemble Everything Once you are satisfied with the adjustment, reattach the wheels and tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern to ensure even pressure. Lower the vehicle and remove any wheel chocks.

9. Test the Parking Brake Start the vehicle and ensure it is in gear (or neutral for automatic transmissions). Pull the parking brake lever to test its effectiveness. The vehicle should remain stationary when the brake is applied. If it still rolls, additional adjustments may be necessary.

Conclusion

Adjusting your rear drum parking brake is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance the safety and functionality of your vehicle. Regular maintenance, including checking and adjusting the parking brake, can help prevent more costly repairs down the road. If you find yourself struggling with the adjustment or if components appear damaged, consulting a professional mechanic is advisable. Keeping your parking brake in optimal condition will ensure your vehicle remains secure when parked, providing peace of mind for you and others on the road.