rear brake auto adjust

[Mickey Bitsko]

I have heard over the years that backing your vehicle and applying the brakes will "auto adjust" the rear brakes, anybody know if there is any truth to this technique?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Yes, there is truth to that. Also, [ I just found out ] applying the parking brake will do the same.

Richard

 

[Mark_88]

I can confirm that it does work also...I've used that technique many times on both my Ranger and Tempo...actually better than trying to use the star wheel because you can over tighten them that way...which leads to having to use the adjuster while pulling back on the stopper...I've done this a few times so I always use the backup method now.

Only problem is when the brakes do not work so well and you get going backwards a good clip...but as long as the fronts are working properly you should be able to stop...eventually...

 

[martin]

it's supposed to work that way but if you're in the rust belt the adjusters tend to get rusty and then you have to adjust them manually. Also if they are too far out of adjustment the auto system might not work.

 

[adsm08]

if they are too far out of adjustment the auto system might not work.

This is a big thing right here.

The auto adjuster system works on spring tension. If the rear shoe moves too far it will pull the adjuster pawl up, and as the brakes are released it turns the screw out, adjusting the brakes up. Since the rear shoe moves when the service brakes are applied or when the parking brake is applied either one will actuate the auto-adjusters.

If they are far out of adjustment it will take a very long time for the auto system to work. If they are too far out the shoe could move far enough to pop the spring off, so proper initial adjustment is important.

The auto adjuster system is less for brake service than it is to eliminate the loss of braking if they are not adjusted up regularly.

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

Thanks for all the input...
I recently went to Brakes - new rotors and drums, the first pair of drums [after about 500 miles] both warped replaced under warrantee , now to their defense the passenger side spring tensioner did not work properly the driver side adjusted too tight upon installation.
After warranty work , [ another 500 miles] driver side fine, passenger side moaning and groaning, so I backed it all the way off, no more problems with noise and still have plenty of brake on that side.
Question: Is it possible the brake shoes on the passenger side could be thicker or maybe shoes aren't centered? I don't get it..

 

[Mark_88]

Who did the work?

If a shop did it, take it back to them...if you did it, remove the offending drum and check that the shoes are on correctly...one shoe is a bit longer than the other and if they are not in the right position it can cause binding...

It can be a bit confusing because they are installed as a mirror image...meaning the long shoe is on the left on one side and the right on the other side...or maybe vise versa, but they are not both on the right side...if you can appreciate that...

Same as the tension adjustment...the long side always faces front...

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

Thanks,
Just read on another thread about e-brake adjustment. For S.... and giggles I'm gonna check it out.
When I was a younger fella not much got by me , but now

 

[wildbill23c]

I'm having a similar issue now, just did the brakes on my 84 B2, and even with the passenger side adjuster backed all the way down to minimum the brake on that side still is really tight, took the drum off and everything looks just like the other side (well opposite ways of course) I can't turn the wheel by hand. After a short drive the passenger side brake was smoking pretty bad. WTF is the deal here? A simple brake job turned into a nightmare.

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

Exactly !!!
I just checked the e-brake no problem there. Yesterday I removed the drum and held the star wheel lock and backed mine all the way off [out of frustration] and today after backing up and setting the e-brake everything seems fine. Not that this means anything but, after going to town stops and starts etc etc. both drums were just both warm to the touch. and that's a good thing

 

[wildbill23c]

I'm guessing my brake shoes are hanging up on something as the self adjuster is backed all the way down and the wheel I still can't turn by hand ugg.

 

[martin]

check that you do not have a sticking or jammed wheel cylinder.

 

[wildbill23c]

check that you do not have a sticking or jammed wheel cylinder.

Will do, but wouldn't seem kind of weird since it was working just fine till the brakes were replaced, and all the components including wheel cylinders are new. Leading me to believe I got something wrong in the replacement somewhere, or something is just sticking. Nothing on this truck has ever came out easy without any major issues involved in a simple repair.

 

[wildbill23c]

Well I took the brake drum on the conflicting side back today and had it replaced, the ole' B2 is back in business. Don't know what was going on with that other brake drum but I swapped it to the other side of the truck and same exact issue, couldn't move the wheel by hand at all. Now with the new drum today I'm back in business.