When working correctly, drum brakes are simply as efficient as disc brakes, and require much less upkeep, however after they’re not performing nicely, you must entry the issue quick. It is potential to regulate drum brakes your self, and it is a comparatively easy challenge that can require minimal funding when it comes to money and time. Earlier than you start, decide in case your car has drum brakes by taking a look at the kind of lug nuts on every wheel. Lug nuts which have a flat face are used to entry disc brakes, whereas lug nuts which have a cone form are used to entry drum brakes.
Subsequent, collect some primary instruments and supplies: a ground jack, a jack stand, a lug wrench, a big flathead screwdriver, a brake adjusting spoon, and a flashlight. Security needs to be your high precedence, so earlier than you carry your car, discover a stable, stage floor to carry out the restore. Apply the parking brake to maintain the car from shifting, then use the ground jack and jack stand to carry the car. Take away the lug nuts with the lug wrench and thoroughly take away the wheel. After you determine the brake drum, take away the brake drum by pulling it straight towards you.
Examine the brake footwear and modify them as wanted with the brake adjusting spoon. If the footwear are worn down, substitute them with new ones. Examine the brake drum for any indicators of injury, corresponding to cracks or gouges. If the brake drum is broken, substitute it with a brand new one. Reinstall the brake drum and wheel, then tighten the lug nuts. Decrease the car and take away the jack stand. Pump the brake pedal a number of occasions to construct stress within the brake system and verify the brake adjustment. If mandatory, make additional changes till the brakes are working correctly.
Figuring out the Brake System
Earlier than adjusting the drum brake, it’s essential to find out the kind of brake system put in in your car. There are two main brake programs generally present in automobiles: disc brake programs and drum brake programs.
Drum brake programs are characterised by the presence of brake drums, that are cylindrical parts that enclose the brake footwear. When the brake pedal is depressed, hydraulic stress forces the brake footwear to develop towards the internal floor of the brake drum, creating friction and slowing down the car. Drum brake programs are sometimes much less environment friendly than disc brake programs however are cheaper and simpler to keep up.
Disc brake programs, then again, make the most of brake calipers and brake discs (often known as rotors). When the brake pedal is utilized, hydraulic stress pushes brake pads towards the brake discs, producing friction and stopping the car. Disc brake programs supply improved braking efficiency, decreased fade, and elevated sturdiness in comparison with drum brake programs.
| Brake System Kind | Key Parts |
|---|---|
| Drum Brake System | Brake drums, brake footwear |
| Disc Brake System | Brake calipers, brake pads, brake discs (rotors) |
To find out the kind of brake system in your car, visually examine the wheels. Drum brake programs may have brake drums seen behind the wheels, whereas disc brake programs may have brake calipers adjoining to the brake discs.
Gathering Mandatory Instruments
Earlier than embarking on the duty of adjusting drum brakes, it’s essential to assemble the mandatory instruments to make sure the job is completed effectively and safely. The next record outlines the important instruments required:
Jack and Jack Stands
A jack is important to raise the car, whereas jack stands present stability and security throughout the adjustment course of. Be certain that the jack is of an acceptable tonnage capability for the burden of the car and that the jack stands are rated for a similar.
Lug Wrench or Influence Wrench
A lug wrench or affect wrench is required to take away and reinstall the lug nuts that safe the wheel to the hub. You will need to choose the proper dimension and sort of wrench for the lug nuts on the car.
Drum Brake Adjusting Instrument
A drum brake adjusting instrument is particularly designed to rotate the brake adjuster star wheel, which adjusts the brake shoe clearance. This specialised instrument is essential for reaching exact changes.
Wheel Chocks
Wheel chocks forestall the car from rolling whereas it’s elevated on the jack and jack stands. Place the chocks behind the wheels reverse the facet being labored on to make sure stability.
Security Glasses and Gloves
Security glasses and gloves defend the eyes and fingers from potential particles or sharp edges throughout the adjustment course of.
Along with the instruments listed above, a flashlight or headlamp could also be useful for illuminating the work space, particularly if the changes are being carried out in a dimly lit surroundings.
Inserting the Adjustment Instrument
To entry the brake adjuster, you will have to take away the drum. As soon as the drum is off, find the star-shaped adjuster wheel on the again of the brake plate. Insert the adjustment instrument, normally a flathead screwdriver or a particular brake adjuster instrument, into one of many slots on the wheel.
Figuring out the Brake Adjuster Wheel
The brake adjuster wheel is usually situated on the again of the brake plate, behind the brake footwear. It could be coated by a rubber plug or cap. Should you’re having problem discovering it, confer with your car’s restore guide or seek the advice of with a mechanic.
Selecting the Appropriate Adjustment Instrument
The suitable adjustment instrument depends upon the kind of brake system utilized in your car. Most fashionable automobiles use a flathead screwdriver, however older fashions or automobiles with particular brake programs could require a distinct instrument. Seek the advice of your car’s restore guide or a mechanic to determine the proper instrument in your car.
Inserting the Adjustment Instrument into the Slot
After getting recognized the adjuster wheel and chosen the proper instrument, insert the instrument into one of many slots on the wheel. Be sure that the instrument is absolutely engaged within the slot to forestall it from slipping or damaging the wheel.
Making certain Correct Brake Shoe Clearance
Correct brake shoe clearance is essential for clean and efficient braking. Listed below are the steps to make sure it:
1. Raise and Safe the Automobile
Jack up the car and place it on jack stands for secure and easy accessibility to the brake meeting.
2. Take away the Wheel
Take away the lug nuts and thoroughly take off the wheel to reveal the brake drum.
3. Examine the Brake Drum
Examine for any harm, put on, or contamination on the brake drum. Clear the floor with a wire brush if mandatory.
4. Reinstall the Wheel
Briefly reinstall the wheel with out tightening the lug nuts. This can assist align the brake footwear.
5. Modify the Star Wheel
Find the star wheel or adjuster situated on the backing plate. Use a flathead screwdriver to show the star wheel in small increments. One click on at a time is mostly ample.
6. Check Brake Engagement
Repeatedly pump the brake pedal and rotate the wheel by hand. The brake footwear ought to make contact with the drum however not drag excessively.
7. Advantageous-Tune the Adjustment
As soon as the preliminary adjustment is made, use a feeler gauge to measure the clearance between the brake footwear and the drum. The clearance needs to be as follows:
| Drum Diameter | Clearance |
|---|---|
| <10 inches | 0.015 – 0.030 inches |
| 10 inches or bigger | 0.030 – 0.060 inches |
Proceed fine-tuning the adjustment till the proper clearance is achieved. The brake footwear ought to contact the drum evenly across the circumference.
Tightening Locknut
With the locknut in place, it is time to tighten it down. Start by utilizing a wrench to snugly tighten the locknut towards the backing plate. As soon as it is safe, use a pair of pliers to additional tighten the locknut by about 1/4 to 1/2 flip. This can make sure that the locknut is sufficiently tightened however not overtightened, which may harm the threads.
Warning: Don’t overtighten the locknut, as this might trigger harm to the backing plate or the brake drum.
| Instrument(s) Required | Goal |
|---|---|
| Wrench | To tighten the locknut |
| Pliers | To additional tighten the locknut |
Tip: If you do not have pliers, you need to use a hammer and a nail to tighten the locknut. Merely place the nail on the pinnacle of the locknut and gently faucet it with the hammer till the locknut is tight.
The way to Modify a Drum Brake
Drum brakes are a sort of brake system that makes use of a rotating drum to sluggish or cease a car’s wheels. The drum brake system consists of a wheel cylinder, brake footwear, brake drums, and a return spring. The wheel cylinder is related to the brake pedal and is liable for activating the brake footwear. When the brake pedal is depressed, the wheel cylinder pushes the brake footwear towards the internal floor of the brake drums, which in flip slows or stops the car’s wheels.
Drum brakes require periodic adjustment to make sure that they’re working correctly. To regulate a drum brake, you have to the next instruments:
- Jack and jack stands
- Lug wrench
- Flathead screwdriver
- Drum brake adjusting spoon
- Brake cleaner
- Brake fluid
After getting gathered the mandatory instruments, you may comply with these steps to regulate a drum brake:
1. Park the car on a stage floor and interact the parking brake.
2. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel that you will modify, however don’t take away them utterly.
3. Increase the car utilizing the jack and jack stands.
4. Take away the lug nuts and wheel.
5. Use the flathead screwdriver to take away the brake drum retaining screws.
6. Pull the brake drum off of the wheel hub.
7. Examine the brake footwear and brake drums for put on or harm. If the brake footwear or brake drums are worn or broken, they need to get replaced.
8. Use the brake brake adjusting spoon to regulate the brake footwear. The brake footwear needs to be adjusted in order that they’re about 1/16 of an inch away from the brake drums.
9. Exchange the brake drum and brake drum retaining screws.
10. Repeat steps 2-9 for the opposite wheel.
11. Decrease the car and tighten the lug nuts.
12. Check the brakes to guarantee that they’re working correctly.
Folks Additionally Ask About The way to Modify a Drum Brake
What are the indicators and signs of a drum brake that must be adjusted?
The next are a few of the indicators and signs of a drum brake that must be adjusted:
- The brake pedal feels spongy or tender.
- The car pulls to at least one facet when braking.
- The brake pads are making a squealing noise.
- The car’s brakes aren’t stopping the car as successfully as they need to.
How typically ought to drum brakes be adjusted?
Drum brakes needs to be adjusted each 10,000 to fifteen,000 miles, or as wanted.
Can I modify drum brakes myself?
Sure, you may modify drum brakes your self, however you will need to comply with the steps fastidiously and to guarantee that the brakes are adjusted correctly. If you’re not comfy adjusting drum brakes your self, you may at all times take your car to a mechanic.
How a lot does it price to regulate drum brakes?
The fee to regulate drum brakes varies relying on the make and mannequin of the car. Nonetheless, the common price to regulate drum brakes is between $50 and $100.
