Brake adjusting
#1
Brake adjusting
Hello all,
I had done my brakes about a year ago, and yesterday I was driving and a sound and feel of grinding was coming from the front end right side.
I had heard it before but just though it was because she is old. But I checked and the pads had worn down, literally to the metal, it was beginning to cut into the metal.
Here is the thing, the brakes are not that old and I figured maybe the rear brakes are improperly adjusted. I know how to adjust them mostly, but how do I know if I got them adjusted right. Can any one answer that? How do I know when the rear brakes are adjusted properly?
thanks
I had done my brakes about a year ago, and yesterday I was driving and a sound and feel of grinding was coming from the front end right side.
I had heard it before but just though it was because she is old. But I checked and the pads had worn down, literally to the metal, it was beginning to cut into the metal.
Here is the thing, the brakes are not that old and I figured maybe the rear brakes are improperly adjusted. I know how to adjust them mostly, but how do I know if I got them adjusted right. Can any one answer that? How do I know when the rear brakes are adjusted properly?
thanks
#2
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Sycamore, Illinois (displaced to Arkansas)
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Which ones are worn out? (You said "pads had worn down" but asked about adjustment of the rear brakes. But the rear brakes are drums, which have brake shoes.)
To adjust the rear drum brakes, you turn the star-wheel until there is a slight drag when you manually turn the tire. Then, you "loosen" it just enough to eliminate the drag.
Then, you go on a test drive, and, according to the book, make a complete (non-rolling) stop going forward, than a complete stop moving backwards. Do this 8-10 times. It's supposed to be adjusted then.
Not sure how much driving you have done in the last year. Could be that the pads you got (or, shoes, if rear) where just bad.
To adjust the rear drum brakes, you turn the star-wheel until there is a slight drag when you manually turn the tire. Then, you "loosen" it just enough to eliminate the drag.
Then, you go on a test drive, and, according to the book, make a complete (non-rolling) stop going forward, than a complete stop moving backwards. Do this 8-10 times. It's supposed to be adjusted then.
Not sure how much driving you have done in the last year. Could be that the pads you got (or, shoes, if rear) where just bad.
#3
#4
Yes, I had put in new calipers in the front. Originally they were hanging up, but after changing the lines and calipers they stopped.
I was thinking that the fronts were doing all the work, so I figured the rears were maladjusted. But I had adjusted them and I go backwards often, so they are constantly adjusting.
I think the pads I put in were cheapos.
I would love to hear more if anyone has something else.
thanks all
I was thinking that the fronts were doing all the work, so I figured the rears were maladjusted. But I had adjusted them and I go backwards often, so they are constantly adjusting.
I think the pads I put in were cheapos.
I would love to hear more if anyone has something else.
thanks all
#6
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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did you replace the rotor/hub assembly too? If you did, the bearings could be installed wrong, and if you didn't change the rotor/hub assembly, than maybe your bearings are shot. If the sound is coming from the front end, than your problem likely lies in the front end (however sound can travel and throw you off..)
#7
Mine was going through pads and warping rotors up front every year. The rear shoes were good but after 200,000 miles the drum surfaces in the rear were worn down too much and were too smooth so the rear brakes weren't doing much at all and abusing the front brakes. I found this out one day I slid through a red light because the fronts were locking up but the rear wasn't doing much of anything
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#8
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Mine was going through pads and warping rotors up front every year. The rear shoes were good but after 200,000 miles the drum surfaces in the rear were worn down too much and were too smooth so the rear brakes weren't doing much at all and abusing the front brakes. I found this out one day I slid through a red light because the fronts were locking up but the rear wasn't doing much of anything
#9
#10
Mine was going through pads and warping rotors up front every year. The rear shoes were good but after 200,000 miles the drum surfaces in the rear were worn down too much and were too smooth so the rear brakes weren't doing much at all and abusing the front brakes. I found this out one day I slid through a red light because the fronts were locking up but the rear wasn't doing much of anything