Adjusting Rear Drums

[titanmax]

I have a 93 ranger and was trying to adjust the drums today. However, turning the splines did not do anything. Also, the lock lever shown in the Haynes Manual that keeps the splines from moving on their own don't seem to be there at all. Trying to figure this one out.

Thanks,
Max Jones

 

[847alexc]

adjustments

The lock lever for the adjuster is behind the adjuster screw, when viewed from the access hole, so it is almost impossible to see. However, unless the end of the lever broke off, it must be there to hold the brake assembly together. The reason that the adjuster wont move for you is two:

1) The lock lever must be released before the adjuster will move the way you want it to. What I do is take to flat blade screwdrivers, a very small one and rather wide one. Use the small screwdriver to push the lock lever toward the drum, essentially disengaging it from the adjuster. Just poke around above and below the screw in the vicinity of the adjuster wheel, you will feel the resistance. With the broad screw driver roll the adjuster wheel, using leverage from the backing plate...Which brings me to 2
2) The adjuster screw often gets rusted and clogged with brake dust. Penetrating oil is generally not going to work and could mess up your brake shoes. Use extra elbow grease, leverage, and a bigger screwdriver if this is a problem. When you have the brakes apart, use anti-sieze grease in the adjuster screw threads to prevent this from happening in the future. Too bad the factory wasn't as long sighted.

 

[847alexc]

add on

If all else fails, beat the crap out of the drum with a Big Hammer on all sides and its face. Try not to warp the drum, use a plastic sledge if you have one.

 

[titanmax]

Thanks, Will do.

 

[longbedGTs]

Maybe someone else will chime in here, but AFAIK, Rangers have self adjusting rear brakes. Just apply the brakes a few times while reversing.

 

[metalmacguyver]

Maybe someone else will chime in here, but AFAIK, Rangers have self adjusting rear brakes. Just apply the brakes a few times while reversing.

That should work assuming that the brake adjusters are not siezed up.

 

[Hardwareman]

Although the manual states that is the proper way to adjust the rear brakes, it seems to never work for me......haha




Allen

 

[JohnPi]

I had a similar problem with my '93 about a month ago. I had my truck at my father-in-law's shop in Port Huron, and we ended up taking out the star adjuster, dismantling, cleaning, lubing and re-installing. This made it possible to adjust. All that was required to remove the star adjuster was to unhook the lower spring, then by hand you can pry the shoes apart and remove the adjuster.

Of course, the adjuster kit can be had at any auto parts store for practically free ($5-$9), so I don't know why I didn't just replace it.

 

[847alexc]

Maybe someone else will chime in here, but AFAIK, Rangers have self adjusting rear brakes. Just apply the brakes a few times while reversing.

The automatic adjustment of rear drum brakes has been fairly standard on most vehicles for at least the past thirty years, so this is absolutely true. However, the adjustment really only works to tighten the shoes, not loosen them. The lock lever only engages in one direction, and this would make the drum more difficult to remove.