Adjustment of the Rear Brake Drums
by Brian Watts
A quick and accurate way of adjusting the rear brakes can be done quite simply.
The traditional method is to have the car on jack stands and spin the wheel as you are tightening the brake adjuster. This, however, does not take into consideration the front shoe (which adjusting has no effect), nor the proper vertical placement of the shoes relative to the drum.
An alternate way to adjust the rear brakes is to pull the emergency brake handle up until you hear three or four clicks. On each rear wheel, tighten each adjuster until snug. Pulling the hand lever up three clicks sets the handle where you want it and it also positions the front shoe so it is even with the rear one you are adjusting. This is so simple, yet it took JK Jackson to explain it so it made sense!
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