Can this been done in the garage on a Sunday afternoon? On the drum I can see what may need to be tightened, just not quite sure how to go about it. What tools and process? Help is appreciated...

 

Yes, do a search, I just saw this explained in a thread a few weeks ago.

 

I had the fix posted on tech tips... when the forum went to new soft wear it was lost.. Ive posted the e brake fix several times since then.... but not in tech tips.. Yes it can be done in the garage takes about two hours.. taking your time.. If you have ever done drum brakes, this is an easy fix..
you have to remove the rear wheels, calipers and caliper brackets.. then you can slide off the rotors.. make sure you do not havethe e brake engaged.. once the rotor is off.. you can see the shoes...and you can also notice the star adjuster.. turning this out will let the shoes expand.. ( Mine were out 33 clicks) from the factory...... adjust the star untill you can not get the rotor back on...then back off to a point where the rotor fits snuggly.. Yes I said snuggly.. once it is seated over the pads this snuggness will be less.... you can not make the shoes so tight as to bind, and still get them on.. once this is done put everything back.. and you will see that your lever will engage at a much lower point.. you sould be able to lock up the e brake around 45 degrees to verticle.. (90 being straight up.. ) 45 to 55 degrees is ok ..if your ebrake becomes further than 55 degrees the auto adjuster will not work... (Autoadjust ) <---- roll your car backwards and apply the ebrake to stop the car on a dime.. this will adjust the star one click... do this three times and it will bring your ebrake back into that range.. you can not do this if your e brake is farther out.. it uses the flex of the shoes while in reverse.. to engage the adjuster..
IM me if you have questons..
Bill ( Evil-Twin )


[Modified by Evil-Twin, 1:32 PM 4/28/2002]

 

Another note, you can adjust one side, and then do the handle yank to balance the two brakes. You may get enough brake without taking both sides apart.

Dave

 

Respectfully , I would not do this... let say both are out 33 clicks like mine were.... if you adjust one..it will engage the ebrake..but only one wheel... the other shoes on the other wheel will not even contact the drum therefore the auto adjust will never adjust the loose side... because adjustment is bases on the shoes actually locking up on the drum , their subsequent flexing and the star blade adjuster moving the star , one click.. Adjusting both sides is the only right way to do it..
I am going to attempt to write another tech tip and post it there...


[Modified by Evil-Twin, 9:20 AM 4/29/2002]