Tips for Self-Adjusting Your Drum Brakes Effectively and Safely

How to Self-Adjust Drum Brakes

Drum brakes play a crucial role in a vehicle’s braking system, providing reliable stopping power when functioning correctly. Over time, the brake shoes wear down, and if not adjusted, this can lead to diminished braking performance. Self-adjusting drum brakes, a feature in many modern vehicles, are designed to automatically maintain the correct distance between the brake shoes and the drum. However, it is beneficial for a vehicle owner to understand how to check and adjust these brakes manually when necessary. This article will guide you through the steps to self-adjust drum brakes effectively.

Understanding Drum Brakes

Before diving into the adjustment process, it's essential to understand how drum brakes work. When you press the brake pedal, hydraulic fluid flows to the brake wheel cylinder, pushing the brake shoes against the inner surface of the drum. The friction created slows the wheel's rotation. Over time, as the brake shoes wear down, the distance between the shoes and the drum increases, resulting in reduced braking efficiency. Self-adjustment aims to counteract this wear automatically, but knowing how to perform manual adjustments can greatly benefit the vehicle owner.

Tools You’ll Need

To self-adjust your drum brakes, you'll need some basic tools - A jack and jack stands - Lug wrench - Screwdriver or brake adjusting tool - A pair of pliers - Brake cleaner

1. Safety First Begin by ensuring your vehicle is parked on a flat surface. Engage the parking brake, and wear safety glasses. Loosen the lug nuts on the rear wheels before lifting the vehicle with a jack.

2. Remove the Wheels Once the vehicle is securely lifted, remove the lug nuts completely and take off the wheels to access the drum brakes. Spin the drums to check for any obvious signs of wear or damage.

3. Inspect the Brake Components Before proceeding with an adjustment, inspect the brake shoes, drums, and other components for wear and tear. Replace any damaged parts before adjusting.

4. Locate the Adjusting Mechanism Each drum brake assembly typically has an adjusting screw or a star wheel located at the bottom of the assembly. If your brakes are self-adjusting, this mechanism is designed to engage during regular braking. For manual adjustment, you will need to utilize this screw.

5. Adjust the Brake Shoes Using your screwdriver or brake adjusting tool, turn the adjuster. Turning it one way will spread the shoes apart, while turning it the other will bring them closer together. You want the shoes to make light contact with the drum—enough to create a slight drag but not so much that the drum won’t spin freely.

6. Check for Proper Adjustment After making the adjustments, spin the drum again. There should be slight resistance without binding. If the drum does not spin freely, back off the adjustment slightly.

7. Reassemble and Test Once you’re satisfied with the adjustment, replace the wheel and lug nuts. Lower the vehicle, and test the brakes in a safe area to ensure they perform effectively.

Conclusion

Self-adjusting drum brakes are a great feature that can help maintain vehicle safety and performance. However, knowing how to manually adjust them can save you time and ensure your brakes are always in optimal condition. Regular inspections and adjustments of your drum brakes can prevent more significant problems down the road and keep your vehicle safe on the road. If you're ever unsure or uncomfortable with doing the adjustments yourself, it’s always best to seek assistance from a professional mechanic.