2005 Dodge Dakota ST. Brake lights came on dash( had brakes still ) fluid was low, filled up, lights went off, had brakes for 2 to 3 months, then lost them again. Changed wheel seal on drivers side, changed brake shoes too, brake lines was rusted to wheel seal, cut off, came loose at junction, ordered everything from advance, lines, wheel seal and brakes. Should I replace self adjuster and other hardware? Because right shoe not touching wheel seal. I'll have to take apart to turn drums, might as well replace everything, huh? Or am I doing something wrong? I've done brake shoes, pads and wheel seals several times, but none like this. Please help. I'm about to take to a shop.

 

Is the correct adjuster on that wheel or is it stuck? It's really easy to get the adjuster on the wrong side. They look the same until you take them apart and the threads are different. I usually clean them and lubricate them with brake lubricant. Considering what the brakes do, little things like hardware, I usually replace with new when it's available.

 

I have never, REPEAT NEVER, been able to keep my rear brakes adjusted. I have an '08 now and had an '06. I use my parking brake every time I park (novel, I know). They never really hold, or they self-adjust up, then slack off before I engage the parking brake again. When I service the rears, I do one at a time and use the other as a reference for re-assembly. I have had to replace both rear cylinders but at different times. I am at a complete loss. I just have to realize that every time I use the brakes the first pedal push is soft, then as the rear cylinders push the shoes out, it firms up.

 

Self adjusters usually work when you're going backwards and step hard on the brakes. That way they only tighten going backwards and not forward which would be bad.

 

Drum brakes usually only self-adjust when driving in reverse.

 

There is good evidence that these trucks work opposite. Forward, brake to full stop adjusts them up. But it doesn't matter, I go forward and backward and brake to stop. They adjust up and then slack off.

 

I haven't worked on the brakes on your generation truck, but self adjusting brakes have been in use for 50 years or more. Some park brakes adjust when you use them. Usually, these are on imports and GM vehicles. In 1988, I ordered and bought a S-10 built just the way I wanted. It was the biggest piece of junk I've ever had. One of the MANY issues I had the first year was the brakes would deadjust. I finally tore into them and figured out the adjuster screws were on the wrong side.

Your brakes should not tighten up when you apply them going forward. Self energizing brakes have a shift inside when you brake while backing up. It will tighten to a point and that's it. If they keep loosening up, I'm wondering if the adjusters are on the correct side. They look identical but are not. They must be on the correct side and oriented properly.