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Problems/Service/RepairsIf you have a problem with your HHR, want a tip on repairing or performing a particular service to you HHR here is the place to post!
) on adjusting rear brakes on the cars that have drum brake system I ran into a slight problem...
Yes, it was adjusted to 1 turn, but it seems that all this time I was literally riding the brakes. When I tried to take the drums off, they wouldn't come off because self-adjuster was adjusted all the way up. I had to come up with a way lower adjustment down, which seemed nearly impossible.
Anyway, I hear different advises about rear brake adjustment procedures. Some say to just drive the car in reverse and then apply the brakes to fully stop. Others suggest performing the turn method. To be honest, this was the last time I ever will go with this turn method whether it is 1 or 4 turns. Another method is to keep adjusting until you hear the brakes just slightly touching the drum. This is probably the most reasonable one.
I don't think anybody suggests that you turn the adjuster blindly, you do need to pay attention to the clearance.
Usually you can get a stuck drum off by using a BFHammer whacking on the side of the drum, the object being to deform the drum so it move off.
If you are asking for the absolutely correct way;
You will need a special brake caliper
measure drum diameter
set shoes to .015 inch smaller than drum
hellshotrod, oldblue, I needed the car back on the road ASAP so I went ahead and got all the stuff from a near by AutoZone. They also offer a 2 year warranty on their brake drums and limited lifetime warranty on their brake shoes, so if I do something stupid again I can replace them for free. Just finished replacing them and adjusted until the shoes started dragging on the drum.
donbrew, that is rocket science precision right there! I am not sure I will ever do anything like that, but I got the concept.
Is later adjustment necessary at all, considering that there is a self-adjuster that is supposed to adjust on its own?
Yes, it was adjusted to 1 turn, but it seems that all this time I was literally riding the brakes. When I tried to take the drums off, they wouldn't come off because self-adjuster was adjusted all the way up. I had to come up with a way lower adjustment down, which seemed nearly impossible.
Anyway, I hear different advises about rear brake adjustment procedures. Some say to just drive the car in reverse and then apply the brakes to fully stop. Others suggest performing the turn method. To be honest, this was the last time I ever will go with this turn method whether it is 1 or 4 turns. Another method is to keep adjusting until you hear the brakes just slightly touching the drum. This is probably the most reasonable one.
Which one do you use and what works for you?
I haven't done the HHR yet but will soon. I have always did the turn method on all my drum brakes. I adjust until there is a slight drag. Your brakes shouldn't wear like they are being ridden and the reason is....
Drum breaks will apply first until 700psi is reached then the distribution block applies the front brakes giving 90% of your stopping power ( reason fronts wear out faster and rears last almost forever ) so sooner the rears build up that pressure the sooner the fronts go to work.
The self adjusters just don't work on HHR. My theory is the weight distribution is too good; when you back up and slam on the brakes the weight doesn't shift enough to make the lever turn the star.
I have been surprised at how level the car stays with a huge load in the back.
