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Ron3rd's avatar
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Mar 27, 2019

Adjusting Brakes; quick question

I have not adjusted brakes for several years. I know it's easy to do, I've got the spoon adjusting tool, etc.

Quick question; looking at the backing plate on the brake drum, through the adjusting hole, which way do you rotate the adjuster to tighten the brakes up initially? Spin it up or spin it down?
  • RJsfishin's avatar
    RJsfishin
    Explorer
    Mar 31, 2019
    Always lift the brake spoon up, But if it doesn't tighen up in BOUT 20 lifts, then I'd guess ypu'd go down.... make sense ?
  • prichardson's avatar
    prichardson
    Explorer
    Mar 28, 2019
    Most motor vehicles have self adjusters and have a pawl that allows the star wheel to move only one direction. On manual adjust brakes the star wheel will move either direction.
  • bucky's avatar
    bucky
    Explorer II
    Mar 28, 2019
    Mine will spin either way without interference.
  • 1320Fastback's avatar
    1320Fastback
    Explorer
    Mar 28, 2019
    Generally with motor vehicles anyways you will only be able to spin it one way without holding the stop bar away from the star wheel. You will be able to spin it the correct way to tighten up the brakes but not spin it the wrong way to loosen up the brakes without lifting off the bar.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Mar 27, 2019
    Think down and out. Push the lever down to make the shoes go out.
    Yes this action makes the star wheel edge closest to you move up.
  • azrving's avatar
    azrving
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2019
    Google or YouTube it. You'll find more videos than you can ever watch
  • Flyfasteddie's avatar
    Flyfasteddie
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2019
    Generally you spin it up to tighten, but some vehicles work the other way. Best to use a shop manual for your application, or take the drum off to be sure.

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