Adjust power drum brakes

[Chaseman]

Are our drum brakes manual adjust or the kind you stop while going backwards , or you do something with the emergency brake? Or what?


THank you
chaseman

[ToughOldFord]

They are supposed to self adjust during normal reverse braking. That's assuming that you're not excessively using and thereby wearing the brakes, that the adjusting mechanisms are moving freely (the star wheel nut in particular), and that the self-adjusting mechanisms are present at all. (Not to uncommon to see someone toss the self adjusting stuff in a drum brake and stretch a spring across the bottom.)

They're easily adjustable with a brake tool or a wide flat head screwdriver. Jack up the wheel and pin it while turning the star wheel though the access hole. Stop when you hear the shoes just starting to rub the drum.
I usually forget which way is tightening, but one way is easy, the other isn't as it's working against the self adjuster. Turn it the easy way. Be sure to adjust both sides equally so it won't pull down the road.

[Chaseman]

thank you