Why do my brakes keep un-adjusting?
#2401172
11/09/17 10:51 PM
11/09/17 10:51 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,179 California
mickm
OP
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OP
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,179
California
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70 Road runner, stock 11" drums. Front left continually adjusts looser over time, and fairly quickly. I set it so there is enough drag to get about a turn when I spin the tire, and w/in 20-30 miles it's loose again. More than about 100 miles and it's dangerous, that side is so loose that when I hit the brakes it pulls sharply to the right. Adjust it out and everything is ok.
I just had it apart, and confirmed it is a left hand adjuster. I double checked that everything is connected correctly, and took a pry bar and moved the rear shoe back at the top, and it did click the adjustor. I double checked that it is going in the right direction, i.e. when the adjuster is turned, it is expanding and not contracting.
Had a mopar friend take a look, and he saw nothing wrong either.
What could be causing this?
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Re: Why do my brakes keep un-adjusting?
[Re: mickm]
#2401177
11/09/17 11:03 PM
11/09/17 11:03 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96,649 On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
amxautox
Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.
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Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96,649
On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
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Is the spring laying against the star so the star doesn't turn from vibration?
Tom
"Everyone should believe in something; I believe I'll go fishing."
-Henry David Thoreau
Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths
author unknown
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Re: Why do my brakes keep un-adjusting?
[Re: mickm]
#2401186
11/09/17 11:20 PM
11/09/17 11:20 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889 up yours
Supercuda
About to go away
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About to go away
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Posts: 14,889
up yours
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Best picture I have of the layout from the FSM
They say there are no such thing as a stupid question. They say there is always the exception that proves the rule. Don't be the exception.
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Re: Why do my brakes keep un-adjusting?
[Re: amxautox]
#2401192
11/09/17 11:34 PM
11/09/17 11:34 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
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Is the spring laying against the star so the star doesn't turn from vibration? that is what I would confirm & compare the tang/teeth etc on the adjuster assy on both sides to see if they are identical (other than the mirror images/different twist on the threads). The tang somehow has to be improperly allowing the star wheel teeth to vibrate/move for it to be loosening.
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: Why do my brakes keep un-adjusting?
[Re: mickm]
#2401392
11/10/17 02:14 PM
11/10/17 02:14 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96,649 On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
amxautox
Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.
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Still Retired. Still Posting on Moparts. A Lot.
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 96,649
On The Boat, On The Lake, Wa. ...
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Also make sure the adjuster is inserted in place in the proper orientation. If swapped end for end the adjuster cable and plate will turn the adjuster the wrong way, and make the shoes move AWAY from the drums instead of TOWARDS the drums.
Tom
"Everyone should believe in something; I believe I'll go fishing."
-Henry David Thoreau
Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths
author unknown
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Re: Why do my brakes keep un-adjusting?
[Re: amxautox]
#2401399
11/10/17 02:43 PM
11/10/17 02:43 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,133 Mesa, Arizona
dart4forte
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,133
Mesa, Arizona
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Also make sure the adjuster is inserted in place in the proper orientation. If swapped end for end the adjuster cable and plate will turn the adjuster the wrong way, and make the shoes move AWAY from the drums instead of TOWARDS the drums. Sounds like the adjuster is backakwards
Last edited by dart4forte; 11/10/17 02:44 PM.
“So if it’s on the internet it must be true”
Abe Lincoln
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Re: Why do my brakes keep un-adjusting?
[Re: dart4forte]
#2401426
11/10/17 03:43 PM
11/10/17 03:43 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,179 California
mickm
OP
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OP
master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,179
California
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Also make sure the adjuster is inserted in place in the proper orientation. If swapped end for end the adjuster cable and plate will turn the adjuster the wrong way, and make the shoes move AWAY from the drums instead of TOWARDS the drums. Sounds like the adjuster is backakwards I won't be able to get pictures until this weekend, but I 1) made sure this was a left side adjustor, 2) matched the position of all the components with the diagram in the FSM, 3) turned the adjuster by hand to make sure it was going in the right direction, and 4) then pried the rear shoe away from the perch, and it did move the adjustor, which I once again verified was the correct direction. doesn't mean I didn't miss something, but I think all of that is good.
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Re: Why do my brakes keep un-adjusting?
[Re: dart4forte]
#2401464
11/10/17 05:03 PM
11/10/17 05:03 PM
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,820 South Bend
John Brown
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,820
South Bend
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Also make sure the adjuster is inserted in place in the proper orientation. If swapped end for end the adjuster cable and plate will turn the adjuster the wrong way, and make the shoes move AWAY from the drums instead of TOWARDS the drums. Sounds like the adjuster is backakwards Or swapped side for side.....
July 19th should be "Drive Like Rockford Day". R.I.P. Jimmie.
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Re: Why do my brakes keep un-adjusting?
[Re: mickm]
#2401491
11/10/17 05:52 PM
11/10/17 05:52 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 25,750 Rio Linda, CA
John_Kunkel
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 25,750
Rio Linda, CA
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You are aware that the self-adjusters only work when the brakes are firmly applied when backing up?
Lots of folks shift to Drive after backing up and seldom/never use the brakes.
The INTERNET, the MISinformation superhighway
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Re: Why do my brakes keep un-adjusting?
[Re: John_Kunkel]
#2401500
11/10/17 06:10 PM
11/10/17 06:10 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,179 California
mickm
OP
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OP
master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,179
California
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You are aware that the self-adjusters only work when the brakes are firmly applied when backing up?
Lots of folks shift to Drive after backing up and seldom/never use the brakes. Yes, that's why I pried the rear shoe away from the top mount. And as mentioned, it worked as expected.
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Re: Why do my brakes keep un-adjusting?
[Re: mickm]
#2401716
11/11/17 01:30 AM
11/11/17 01:30 AM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 954 garnett kansas
rhad
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 954
garnett kansas
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does the spring set down tight against the star wheel?
my ladder of success is missing some rungs
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Re: Why do my brakes keep un-adjusting?
[Re: rhad]
#2401875
11/11/17 01:21 PM
11/11/17 01:21 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,040
Lincoln Nebraska
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if nothing appears bent/out of place/not working/wrong parts you might pull the drum & have a helper work the pedal BARELY so the shoes expand a slight bit then let off & repeat & see if the star wheel starts expanding the shoes. work with him so he goes just far enough for the tang to catch the next tooth. Holler what it ends up being.
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: Why do my brakes keep un-adjusting?
[Re: RapidRobert]
#2401912
11/11/17 02:39 PM
11/11/17 02:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,066 Eugene, Oregon
minivan
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,066
Eugene, Oregon
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if nothing appears bent/out of place/not working/wrong parts you might pull the drum & have a helper work the pedal BARELY so the shoes expand a slight bit then let off & repeat & see if the star wheel starts expanding the shoes. work with him so he goes just far enough for the tang to catch the next tooth. Holler what it ends up being. Keyword here is BARELY, unless you want brake cylinder pistons all over your shop... Did some stupid things when I was young.... LOL
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