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how do I adjust rear drum brakes?

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Offline joezuki

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how do I adjust rear drum brakes?
« on: April 17, 2005, 10:54:27 PM »
I had to replace the rear shoes on my '92 4 door sidekick.  Everything came apart & went together rather well, except for the fact that I have no Idea how to adjust the brakes to the drums. It is very easy to loosen the shoes, but how do you GRADUALLY tighten them?  I've been putting off buying a repair manual, but now I've decided I need one. "Til I get it, can anyone out there help me?
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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: how do I adjust rear drum brakes?
« Reply #1 on: April 17, 2005, 11:43:00 PM »
The drums should be self adjusting. I have found that it can take a very long time for them to adjust up if you back them off too far.
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Offline SiKiD_01

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Re: how do I adjust rear drum brakes?
« Reply #2 on: April 18, 2005, 01:01:14 AM »
like rhinoman says, the should be self adjusting.

if they still arent biting, or as hard as you like, or at all, try loading the back up a bit to lower the ride height, or if you have a trailer, stick that on and put some heavy stuff in the trailer.

this loads up the rear end of the trucklet, and the LSPV lets more pressure go to the rear drums. take it for a spin around the block or something, and try braking a bit harder than you normally do.

this should set them up, if this does not work, then you need to take them apart again, and see why they aren't adjusting.

i too put off getting a workshop manual for a while, most things on suzukis are pretty straigh forward, its only those tricky little bits and those torque numbers that you really need to worry about. i have the manual now, and it pays to have it on hand to refer to.

good luck.
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Offline Setheron

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Re: how do I adjust rear drum brakes?
« Reply #3 on: April 18, 2005, 04:58:02 AM »
Does your drum system have a ratcheting adjuster? Most do and you have to get that close to where it needs to be before the self adjuster kicks in but i'm guessing.
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Offline jzap

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Re: how do I adjust rear drum brakes?
« Reply #4 on: April 18, 2005, 05:18:48 AM »
I haven't replaced the rear brakes on a Zuk yet, but...

All the others I've ever done have an adjuster that consists of a "star wheel" and a sleeved threaded bar between the shoes.  There is generally a rubber plug on the backing plate that you pop out to get access to the star wheel once you put the drum back on.  (I did come across one where you had to go through a hole in the drum, but I think that was a French car of some sort)

Make a rough adjustment so you can just get the drum on without forcing it over the shoes.  Put the wheel on, and with the truck still raised (put the spare under the frame just in case) go to the inside (axle side) of the backing plate and use a flat blade screw driver to click the star wheel while you turn the (road) wheel.  Stop just when you start to get contact between the drum and the shoes.  Repeat on the other side.  

The self adjust mechanism works when you brake hard while going backwards.  There is a little plate connected by a cable or bar to one of the shoes that rests on the star wheel and clicks it over a notch each time you stop in reverse if the brakes are too loose.

Like I said, these are general principles from every other brake system I have ever worked on.  Zuks may vary...
« Last Edit: April 18, 2005, 05:22:38 AM by jzap »
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Offline joezuki

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Re: how do I adjust rear drum brakes?
« Reply #5 on: April 18, 2005, 05:45:52 AM »
replacing everything was a snap...suzuki keeps everything symmetrical & simple.  There is no "star wheel" or any "access hole"  It does have the ratchet mechanism, which is easy to release with a pry of a screwdriver, but I was hoping someone could tell me how to tighten it without taking everything all apart again.  Any suggestions from anyone who's done one?
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Offline mrfuelish

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Re: how do I adjust rear drum brakes?
« Reply #6 on: April 18, 2005, 06:14:55 AM »
put your foot on the brake with light pressure and go back and forth, thats how the ratchet(self adjuster) works to tighten.
« Last Edit: April 18, 2005, 06:16:00 AM by mrfuelish »
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mudfkr

Re: how do I adjust rear drum brakes?
« Reply #7 on: April 18, 2005, 06:39:15 AM »
Quote
put your foot on the brake with light pressure and go back and forth, thats how the ratchet(self adjuster) works to tighten.


I thought every time you apply the park brake it adjusts  them automatically  ?

I know when I reassemble mine I try to get the shoe as close as I can to the drum to start with as I've had problems with the auto adjust  not working before too.
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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: how do I adjust rear drum brakes?
« Reply #8 on: April 18, 2005, 09:36:15 AM »
Quote


I thought every time you apply the park brake it adjusts  them automatically  ?

I know when I reassemble mine I try to get the shoe as close as I can to the drum to start with as I've had problems with the auto adjust  not working before too.


My recollection is also that its on the handbrake mechanism. If they're not adjusting up you will find it much easier to pull the drum again and tweak them up. I once tried pulling the handbrake up and down to adjust them up - god knows how many times. Eventually I gave up and pulled the drums. Got the adjusters so the drums would just back on again (get the shoes nicely centred!) and after that it adjusted up really quick.
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2000 Vitara 1.6, 3+3 Lift, 33"MTs, 5:83s, LWB brakes, Winch, Snorkel, Safari Rack
1986 SJ413K PickUp, 1.6L conversion.

OBD1 - Full diagnostics on a PC/Laptop: http://www.rhinopower.org
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Offline Setheron

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Re: how do I adjust rear drum brakes?
« Reply #9 on: April 18, 2005, 11:56:06 AM »
It will adjust by the ebrake but it has to be close, when you put the drum back on make sure you get it close.
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Offline Mikerpm4x4

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Re: how do I adjust rear drum brakes?
« Reply #10 on: April 18, 2005, 02:48:49 PM »
The shoes automaticly adjust when you step on the brakes. If it does not then something is not assembled correctly.

Mike
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Offline GeoB

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Re: how do I adjust rear drum brakes?
« Reply #11 on: April 18, 2005, 04:47:08 PM »
Quote
The shoes automaticly adjust when you step on the brakes. If it does not then something is not assembled correctly.
Mike


Yup.  What Mike said.  I just did my rear brakes for the umpteen zillionth time.  Thankful for the 'lifetime warranty'.  I don't even bother to get em as tight as possible and still get the drum on.  I just leave em loose.  The handbrake method sounds like it would work, but I generally just drive  down the street in 1st, and pump the brakes.  I think the amerikan system with the star-wheel likes you to backup, so I did that too, thinking maybe it would work better.  But if you have yer adjuster free and lubed a bit it is gonna tighten up like it should.  

I 'spose you can feel the difference between loose adjustment and air in the cylinder?
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Offline derekj

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Re: how do I adjust rear drum brakes?
« Reply #12 on: April 18, 2005, 06:34:56 PM »
the easiest and quickest way is to take off the rear section of the console and tighten the 10mm nut that goes from the hand brake to the 2 rear cables - that will take up most of the major play and the self adjusters will do the rest
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Offline joezuki

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Re: how do I adjust rear drum brakes?
« Reply #13 on: April 19, 2005, 04:21:06 AM »
Well, thanks for all the ideas. I went home last night, removed the drums, took off the 2 top horizontal springs, and was able to easily adjust the ratchet mechanism. After getting it to the point where the drums just fit on, I replaced the springs, put everything back together, and all works fine.   ;D
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Offline Natebert

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Re: how do I adjust rear drum brakes?
« Reply #14 on: April 19, 2005, 06:58:06 AM »
Quote
The shoes automaticly adjust when you step on the brakes. If it does not then something is not assembled correctly.

Mike



Yup!
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