I'm trying to fix a long running issue with the drum brakes on my truck. I noticed when manually adjusting the drum brakes in my '02 Dakota that the adjustor tab doesnt make contact with the star wheel. This has been an ongoing issue (over the past few years) with me that I attempted to fix by having a new adjustor cable handy. However, even with the new cable, it is nowhere close to making contact (gap looks unchanged). What do I need to do so that I can have the brakes self adjust.

I took some pics so you can see the gap:

 

Mine is the same way when your brakes spread out at the top that pulls the cable and that should bring enough tension to to pull the arm up and hit off the star wheel.

 

Sorry, Im not that familiar with drum brakes. Are you saying that it is normal for the gap between the arm and star wheel? From what I understand from your post, it seems that the arm gets pulled into the star wheel whenever you hit the brake and releases the tension when the brakes aren't applied.

 

Sorry I confused you but it should touch all the time. When is the last time you did your brakes?

 

oreillys sells a kit that replaces all the hardware...not a rebuild kit, a hardware kit...has the new cable, new adjuster, new bracket, and new adjuster... $15

 

Autozone all hardware for 8.00 maybe thats both our problem I never did the new hardware when I did my brakes ill have to try it out but I have been driving my truck around for 8,000 miles and still no problems