Re: brake adjustment

Posted by Bob Carabbio on July 23, 1997 at 20:04:26

In Reply to: brake adjustment
posted by Dick Riemer on July 21, 1997 at 11:44:05

I'm assuming that you mean the following
With the brake pedal released completely, the front levers will move back (when the pedal is pressed) about 3/8" before anything inside "Catches".
That ain't right.The idea is - with the pedal released, and all the way up - there is NO slack or lost motion on any corner before all four sets of shoes start expanding.
Doug's point is well taken - Everybody sells the "pills" or
"Front Brake Operating Pin Shims" if you want to be high class about it.Use as many as you need to get rid of the play, and fine adjust with the brake rod clevis.
His point about the 15 degree forward slant is also important, if the lever slants toward the rear you won't have the proper mechanical advantage in a hard application (and maybe try to run under the back of a school bus like I did once).
Another thing to check is the condition of the rear wheel bearing inner race (Axle housing end).If it's worn, the wheel will drop out of alignment with center, and force you to loosen the adjustment in order to eliminate drag. If the rear drums get hot when running, but don't have drag when jacked this is a likely problem.

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