Self adjusters for drum brakes

I hate this website.. I think and think about something I want done right the first time. Make my decision.......and then someone comes along and confuses me with good sense !!! Now, do I go ahead and put on all new self adjuster parts, or just discard that crap and manually adjust? ... In average driving , approx. how many miles between adjusting( 10 " brakes non super dooper linings)...............MO

Just finished up putting the self adjusters on last night. May check out the system today, if it doesn't rain. Hopefully it Wil even out the braking and not pull to one side as much. That was the expectation anyway.

Cornpatch MO said:

In average driving , approx. how many miles between adjusting( 10 " brakes non super dooper linings).........

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That would depend on the brake lining material.
True story, sorry, Chevy...Suburban. What my wife drove, bought it new. Put 120,000 miles on it, and I decided to have a brake job done, since they had never been touched. Dropped it off at the shop, by the time I got back to the house, mechanic called saying it's ready. Nothing was done, but look...said the brake shoes still looked like new!

Remembering back, think the norm was wait until the brake pedal went at least halfway down, before adjusting was needed.

Manual adjustment. So many factors, miles driven, flat land, hilly conditions,how you brake,etc.I would say unless you drove you classic everyday,once a year should suffice.

Cornpatch MO said:

I hate this website.. I think and think about something I want done right the first time. Make my decision.......and then someone comes along and confuses me with good sense !!! Now, do I go ahead and put on all new self adjuster parts, or just discard that crap and manually adjust? ... In average driving , approx. how many miles between adjusting( 10 " brakes non super dooper linings)...............MO

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That's the thing about different opinions. There's nothing wrong with any of the past setups. I've worked on them all over the years and you just have to learn how each one works.

Manual adjusters require periodic maintenance. Mostly they get checked at each oil change/lube job. Tighten them until the drum won't turn, then back them off, counting the clicks until you have a very light lining contact. Adjust them all the same, useing the same amount of clicks you back the adjuster off.

Self adjusters are easy peasy. You do nothing. If you have worn parts or after replacing brake shoes you install the parts incorrectly, you'll have problems. They need to be in good condition especially the adjuster wheel. They need to be clean and a small amount of lube on the threads.

The "back up" self adjusters operate when you are backing up and hit the brakes. If you don't back up much, they won't adjust, leaving a bit of brake travel. Either try backing up and hit the brake pedal several times or adjust manually through the hole in the backing plate.

If you manually adjust a self adjuster and go too far, you'll have to stick a small screwdriver through the adjuster hole and push the spring loaded "catch" that holds the "star wheel" away so it can be turned the opposite way.

There is a self adjuster that adjusts while moving foward as well. Same thing applies with these. If they are worn or dried out from lack of lubrication or installed wrong, you're going to have problems.

I'm useing all drum brakes on my '62. It's what the car came with. They work just fine. Do they stop like a front disk brake setup? Probably not but I don't tail gate either.

Usually the “back up” self adjusters would not adjust fully if hitting pedal gently when in reverse. Better to slam on brakes a couple times when in reverse.

kryslerkid,^^^ Are you sayin' you are a careful driver ? In this day and age of "Nut Jobs" on the road. I swear what is up with people?

Darter6 said:

kryslerkid,^^^ Are you sayin' you are a careful driver ? In this day and age of "Nut Jobs" on the road. I swear what is up with people?

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I rode Harleys up to a couple of years ago and learned to be a defensive driver at a early age. These days are worse than ever trying to keep your eyes on everyone else that's on the road and what they are doing.

I've been working part time as a delivery driver and believe me, its not getting any better!

Three drives around town, about 150 miles to date since resto and I still haven't watched my speedo or tach! Head on a swivel...

miller said:

That would depend on the brake lining material.
True story, sorry, Chevy...Suburban. What my wife drove, bought it new. Put 120,000 miles on it, and I decided to have a brake job done, since they had never been touched. Dropped it off at the shop, by the time I got back to the house, mechanic called saying it's ready. Nothing was done, but look...said the brake shoes still looked like new!

Remembering back, think the norm was wait until the brake pedal went at least halfway down, before adjusting was needed.

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Unless you’re like me; I like a nice high pedal ! 1-1/2” or more and it’s time to adjust again.

I agree. My pedal Is a tad lower than I'd like. Stops just fine. I suspect it is either the nature of the beast, or the push rod on the replacement MC is a bit short.