How to adjust the rear drum brakes

[Lonnie Cox]

On my 76 camaro stocker want to make sure no drag.
Thank You

[Mark Ruset]

First make sure the drums are perfectly round, make sure your return springs are not stretched or bent, and make sure your shoes have even thickness from top to bottom. Use a heavy grit sandpaper to round off the edges of the shoes. Lastly install the drums where the slide on and off with little or no resistance.

[rallye bob]

Originally Posted by Mark Ruset

First make sure the drums are perfectly round, make sure your return springs are not stretched or bent, and make sure your shoes have even thickness from top to bottom. Use a heavy grit sandpaper to round off the edges of the shoes. Lastly install the drums where the slide on and off with little or no resistance.

What Mark said...... Also disable/remove self adjusters....

[Gary Parker]

Once all that is done, tighten the adjuster through the slot until the drum can not be turned. Then back it off until no drag. Put on a couple of lug nuts to make sure the drum stays on tight.

[Dragsinger]

Lonnie,

I suggest removing the self adjusting hardware. You can do that by using a long return spring in each top position. To prevent the adjuster from moving flip that spring end to end. The "flipped" adjuster spring will prevent movement

To adjust, use a screwdriver to raise the spring off the adjuster star wheel.

Also, the above post contains good suggestions. The drum should slide off easily.

[Lonnie Cox]

Thank You I will take your great advice.

[chris ok]

I would like to add 1 more suggestion. On the backs of the brake shoes there are tabs that rest on the backing plate of the rear end. Place a dab of brake grease on it so the shoe moves smoothly and does not cut into the backing plate.
Auto parts stores have a nice synthetic brake grease in a white and black tub I highly recommend.
Toyota dealers have small packets of it too. It is the best.
Chris

[Rory McNeil]

On older cars that were made before self adjusters were used, the adjusters had much larger peaks on the star wheels used for adjusting the brakes. The larger space between the points allowed the lower shoe retaining springs to grab the star wheel tighter. You may still be able to buy the early style adjusters new, maybe ask for adjusters for something like a 57 Chevy , and see if they are the same length.
On my Mustangs rear drum brakes, I when I got rid of the self adjusting stuff, I cut down the female end of the adjustors enough to allow a jam nut to fit. Yes, you do have to remove the drums to adjust the brakes, but as long as the jam nut is tight, the brakes will never mysteriously adjust themselves too tight.

[Dragsinger]

Good job Rory! I like the jam nut idea. And you are correct about the pre-self adjusting star wheels. With most GM products self adjusters began in 1963.

[Mark Yacavone]

Mostly all covered already...

My opinion is that the aluminum 9.5 x 2 GM drums are worth a few hundredths anyway