How do I release the pressure on my drum brakes?
Unscrew the brake drum if needed.
- Use a screwdriver to remove the screws securing the brake drum to the wheel.
- Draw the brake drum forcefully towards you.
- Use a screwdriver and rubber mallet or a brake drum puller to take the drum off of the wheel if you are unable to remove the drum by unscrewing it and pulling it.
Why are my back drum brakes sticking?
If the parking brake cable is rusted, kinked, or otherwise damaged, the rear brake shoe will not return when the parking brake is released, causing the rear shoe to drag on the drum.
How do you loosen a drum brake adjuster?
Lever the spoon up and down to adjust the brakes by spreading the adjuster. The star wheel will only turn in one direction because of the notches. If you have to loosen the brakes, you will need to insert a screwdriver to push the adjuster arm off of the star wheel, and then turn the spoon in the opposite direction.
Do drum brakes adjust themselves?
The good news is that brake drums are forgiving, and there’s play built into the system. In a perfect world, drum brakes would self-adjust the way disc brakes do. In disc brakes, the caliper piston extends more and more as the pads wear.
How do I know if my rear drum brakes need replacing?
Technical Bulletins
- Inconsistent brake pedal feel. If the rear brakes are drum brakes, the driver may feel vibrations under braking.
- Hand brake feels loose. If the hand brake requires a hard yank to keep the car from rolling off, chances are the brake shoes need replacing.
- Scraping noise while braking.
Will drum brakes self adjust?
In a perfect world, drum brakes would self-adjust the way disc brakes do. In disc brakes, the caliper piston extends more and more as the pads wear. Wheel cylinders, however, can’t do this because the cups would fall out before the shoes wore out.
What would cause a rear wheel to lock up?
Brake shoe contamination can be the cause of rear wheel lockup. If an axle seal or wheel cylinder leaks and contaminates the brake shoe(s) it changes the coefficient of friction. If it is mild contamination then the friction is increased while severe contamination will cause a reduction in friction (See Figure 61.9).