I just did my rear drum brakes a few weeks ago. I had to replace the wheel cylinder on the driver's side, i bought 2 but only replaced the driver's side because of time contraints, i have not got to replacing the passenger side yet. When i did the shoes i turned the adjusters all the way in. The rear brakes seem to appear to be working properly. Obviously, i bled the side i replaced the wheel cylinder on but, i have not bled the passenger side; did not think any air got in. When i was done, i drove around to test the brakes, the passenger side will lock up, i think, just occasionally on dry pavement when the brakes are fully depressed but, the driver's side, even in sand on pavement will not lock up. Do i need to adjust the adjuster? Right now it is all the way in, i believe i turned them all the way in because it was just enough for the drum to fit back on over the shoes. Is this normal? Or should i go back and turn the adjuster out more and see if the drums will still fit over? How do you guys go about seeing if the adjuster is set right when you do yours? A lot of trials of taking it apart and adjusting, then driving?

Thanks

 

Yes, you will need to adjust the star wheel (splines down) to set the shoes out farther. You don't need to pull the drum ... just adjust from the rear of the backing plate. Give it a couple of clicks and test it ... do it again ... until it appears to be dragging ... then back it off a couple.