Brake pedal height adjustment
Senior Member
Joined: 09-16-2013
Posts: 1,408
From: Tampa, Florida
I think I am just going to deal with this one myself. Luckily on this setup, it seems that I can remove the star wheels and adjustment level and spring with out disassembling anything, which makes for a pretty easy job. I just want to avoid the hassle of bringing it back and being that "complaining knowitall customer." I know that their first reaction would be, without saying it to me of course, would be "well if you know so much about it just fix it yourself." But on the other side I did pay them for a service, and it is a simple enough mistake to make, so if I were them I would just take care of it. That same technician who replaced the drum hardware was also going to let me go home with a brake pedal that traveled to the floor, because he failed to adjust the drums at all at first, and he even had the nerve to tell me that it was NORMAL...and sent me around the block to make sure it "felt okay"... what if I were a gullible person or not knowledgeable, and drove around like that? I never let the owner know about that either.
It is not all that easy especially without the tool. The tool is cheap. I will bet $.25 the mechanic does not have one.
Platinum Member
Joined: 12-06-2009
Posts: 11,721
From: Alabama
My 2 cents.
Now, I've never worked on HHR drum brakes but back in my mechanic-ing for a living days, I've worked on many, many drum brake systems.
Many of the old GM drum brake systems did have different adjusters for the left and right sides.( and they would physically fit either side )
One was right hand threads. The other left hand threads.
The reason was because you adjusted from different "sides" of the backing plate slot.
The primary shoe was generally to the back side of the drum, so the adjuster was usually behind that back slot.
Not sure if this pertains to the HHR system or not. Not even sure if my explanation is very good but just thought I'd post it anyway.
Now, I've never worked on HHR drum brakes but back in my mechanic-ing for a living days, I've worked on many, many drum brake systems.
Many of the old GM drum brake systems did have different adjusters for the left and right sides.( and they would physically fit either side )
One was right hand threads. The other left hand threads.
The reason was because you adjusted from different "sides" of the backing plate slot.
The primary shoe was generally to the back side of the drum, so the adjuster was usually behind that back slot.
Not sure if this pertains to the HHR system or not. Not even sure if my explanation is very good but just thought I'd post it anyway.
Senior Member
Joined: 09-16-2013
Posts: 1,408
From: Tampa, Florida
So I just decided to fix it myself. The adjusters on the top picture are fully removable and servicable without removing the shoes. For anyone who is interested in this in the future, at least they can know that. I used nothing but a pair of vice grips, a flathead screwdriver, and my lil ol hands. Oh, and my free harbor freight headlamp was MADE for this job. Sure I may look silly with it on, but its perfect for lighting up the access hole at the back! Brakes adjust in the right direction and the adjustemnt lever is actually functional! giving that classic "click" sound! YAY!
Senior Member
Joined: 09-16-2013
Posts: 1,408
From: Tampa, Florida
HA! Oldblue, I will walk into Starbucks wearing mine, you wear yours, thats how we will spot eachother! We can flash the lights to signal! People may run, or be afraid, but they just wont understand! XD Get Sweetie one too! EVERYBODY GETS A HEADLAMP