How to Clean and Adjust Rear Drum Brakes

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In the video, 1A Auto shows how to clean and adjust rear drum brakes. The video is applicable to all vehicles with rear drum brakes.
🔧 List of tools used:
• Flat Blade Screwdriver 1aau.to/oaSn/1A...
• Straight Cutters
• Brake Parts Cleaner
• Dust Mask 1aau.to/ok/1AXS...
• Floor Jack 1aau.to/oKE/1AX...
• Hammer 1aau.to/oHr/1AX...
• Jack Stands 1aau.to/oH6/1AX...
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⚠ DISCLAIMER:
While 1A Auto strives to make the information provided in this video as accurate as possible, it makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or applicability of the content. No information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. All do-it-yourself projects entail some risk. It is the sole responsibility of the viewer to assume this risk. 1A Auto is not responsible or liable for any loss damage (including, but not limited to, actual, consequential, or punitive), liability, claim, or any other injury or cause related to or resulting from any information posted in this video.

[@1AAuto]

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[@alive.off-grid]

I have a 93 Ford Ranger. I need to know how to measure my brakes in order to get the right ones they said that they could be at 9 in or a 10in I need to know how do I measure to find out

[@grantw.whitwam9948]

I had a 72 Chev K20, the brake shop guy adjusted the back like you showed, it made a huge difference.

[@th3frogman]

I appreciate this particular video because he walks through the rotating of the drum as well as talking about the star wheel adjuster. I already knew about the adjustment mechanism, but wasn't sure how much drag I should be feeling. Also, I had been adjusting one side while keeping the other side's drum on, so I'm glad he mentioned to not do that. Good vid.

[@zmodem4619]

Tip For Dummies (in a good way): If your rear brake drum isn't releasing, no matter how hard you hammer on it with a sledgy, you may not have released the e-brake. Release the e-brake in the car, and ensure that you're in park (if you have an automatic) or 1st-gear (if you have a manual). The e-brake will lock both of the rear drum shoes into the brake position, which will not allow the drum to release from the axle tube. Another Tip for those not using a lift to raise the entire vehicle in the air: Before releasing the e-brake, you need to make sure that the vehicle wheels that are still on the ground are all chocked with something that prevents the vehicle from rolling. When you just rely on the transmission to lock the vehicle, there's still a large element of danger present. Chocking the wheels ensures that you have done everything necessary to prevent vehicle roll while you have the automobile lifted at a specific angle. You will also want to make sure that you are NOT DOING THIS on a driveway, or an incline/decline of any sort. Safety first, everybody :D

[@carlotrese6996]

is this the same adjustment for the park brake?

[@alexandreturcotte5614]

My first language is french.. and your explanation was so clear to me, way more than any other french video that i've seen! Thank you very much!

[@likits1999]

I like the remove the other drum to get an accurate 1side check. Great job!!!

[@chetmyers7041]

So if you are gonna check both sides, and you think you have the right side good, then you would remove the right drum while you go adjust the left side? Also, left drum was removed while you where adjusting the right side? So it is necessary to jack-up both wheels? Watched a video where a guy just wiggled the drum just a bit. Axle studs weren't moving; only movement was from clearance around drilled holes in drum.

[@jasonsims007]

A word of advice...don't "take the little door off" and mess around. The only way to adjust from the back is to tighten, and if you tighten them too much you can't get the drum back off and then your screwed. It's near impossible to loosen from the back side.

[@1AAuto]

+Jason Sims Thanks for the tip! We'll pass this info along to our production team.

[@RenoLaringo]

You are right, but most of the time with a little patience and efforts you can still loosen it from behind using two small screw drivers.

[@freestyla101]

If you can’t back it off from the rear you shouldn’t be touching your brakes.

[@marklivingston1479]

Make sure you throw the empty can of Brake Cleaner across the shop like Rainman Ray!😂

[@kj232009]

Was getting a squeal from the rear passenger wheel when making turns after I installed new pads. I was going crazy trying to figure out the problem, almost purchased another new set of brake pads. Well my mechanic figured it out and readjusted my brake shoes and cleaned with brake cleaner. Not 1 single squeal since

[@rejmonwilson]

I live in Canada when I change my tires over in the spring and fall,I always clean my drums and inspect them, I also used anti size around the hub and the drum , for easy removal. I drive a trucks, so I always back up my vehicles this help the automatic adjustment. The thing is when it is time to switch over your tires the garage will not do this procedure unless the customers advise them. This should be and automatic task at time of switching the tires for the season.

[@cbk1381]

I swear I absolutely love all of the extremely helpful videos you guys produce. I have saved so much time , agrivation and money from watching ,over and over again. The videos are clear and get straight to the point with no B S and little helpful tips all the time. And the tool lists....awesome as well. I literally tell anyone I talk with about vehicle repairs , to find you guys on you tube. I have recently been having to make many repairs and always find that , in comparison to most other channels, yours seems to ALWAYS be the most helpful. Thank You guys...big time.....very very appreciated. Keep up the good work fellas

[@1AAuto]

+Man vs Most Thank you! We love empowering our customers and showing how to perform DIY auto repairs with our high-quality auto parts. 1AAuto.com

[@justlistenfornow]

How much drag is enough drag? How do I measure/quantify if there is "just enough" drag, not too tight and not too loose?

[@victorthecarguy3126]

What a funny car company. Independent rear suspension that is driven and has drum brakes.

[@auginater4200]

If you keep clicking the adjuster, does it eventually begin to compress instead of expand? I'm trying to tighten them but it keeps feeling loose

[@robertarodriguez2279]

how do you determine that the tightness or drag (whatever) is enough? Is there some sort of a standard measurement or indicator? thnx

[@j.antoniovarela5982]

you open the adjuster until the drums do not fit over the pads, then back up the adjuster one click at a time until the drum fit. Leave the adjuster set for the drums to barely fit.

[@Alex-wf4mc]

@@j.antoniovarela5982 Good tip, thank you!

[@yiaxiong7864]

Why are all drum brake adjustment instruction videos based on "feel" and not from using some sort of instrument or tool? Is there really not an exact setting to follow? You know like manufacturer torque specifications on a bolt? How do they adjust drums on a newly built car out of a factory?

[@JoseVazquez-jw5yp]

The same way I guess, once you are adjusting you will feel or hear the drag and that's when it's good, it should turn easily still

[@AngelHernandez-lb9cm]

Good question /remark -yia Good answer - jose

[@wanmukhlis6872]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGabdqxqg81-ipI

[@jamesclark6384]

Hopefully you will see this. The manufacturer instructions read that using a micrometer or calipers to measure the inside diameter of your drum that you shoes should; at proper adjustment; measure exactly 0.5 mm less the the inside diameter of the drum. I work for the dealership.

[@pgo301]

Can't appreciate the tutorial and tips enough. Thank You!!!! :D

[@arthurdunn1452]

Top job,well done Charlie from Australia

[@bch6707]

@1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know - thanks for sharing in-depth details in this video. What would be the consequence of having too much drag? I kinda just gauge the setting I needed based on how much resistance it provided when setting the drums back. After putting back on the shoes and springs on one of my drums, I did see the wheel adjuster isn't hitting the lever in the back, generally is there a concern that the adjuster could shift while driving? Thank you for your time.

[@bhagyawanbhagat2361]

Thanks. I will be checking this tommorrow. I think I made my Pedal spongy after I bleed the rear seum brakes.

[@1AAuto]

+Bhagyawan Bhagat Thanks for checking us out. 1aauto.com

[@shawnsincavage4106]

In this video you should be showing a brake reset gauge on the shoes letting someone know the proper and professional way to adjust the shoes The way you're showing your how you adjust the shoes is guessing You'll just have to keep taking off the drums and putting back on to the shoes until you get the right resistant on the drum / shoe

[@garyallman3039]

Don't you need to lubricate the contact points after cleaning with brake cleaner?

[@tonylavictoire]

Thanks for your tutorial! Is that okay to spray brake cleaner over the brake cylinder boots?

[@ejc491]

Thank you for this video.

[@Jimmy_Cavallo]

💥 Excellent video, thank you. I tried my best but could not get the driver side drum off of my ‘01 Express 3500 even after soaking it with penetrating oil and striking it with a hammer. I brought it to my mechanic and $730 later it was done. I drove 4 miles from his shop and as I took a left turn to enter a highway the rear wheel separated from the van and extended out 2 feet on the axle. The mechanic says it’s not his fault since he didn’t do anything with the axle although he gave the drum a good beating with a hammer to get the job done. The nut on the end of the hub that holds the axle in place spun loose and the axle slid out…. Does anyone know how that could have happened…?? I think it’s much too coincidental that it happened only a couple miles after he did the brake job for him not to own up to the problem. 🤟🏼🇺🇸

[@ethanmaiden]

Absolutely no way that cause what happened to happen, the keeper in the rear-end more than likely was broken and about to fall off and the extra vibration just mad it happen, so the timing of the 2 was impeccable, had you not gone to to shop you would of been on the side of the road with the same problem, just saying, but here's the deal, who ever put the last wrench on it still hold the liability and that is for small claims court to decide

[@Luke-ofStoke-Factor]

My new brake adjuster i purchased for my 1997 nissan sentra has no threads....? How will it tighten with no threading??

[@tajindersingh7932]

Very informative

[@1AAuto]

+Tajinder Singh Thanks for checking us out. 1aauto.com

[@samiuddin6696]

Wawo....... I got to know how to lose the brake shoes if it is more tightened. Thanks dear brother. No one told this tip

[@GTRliffe]

you hose inside before you pull anything off put the hose is the small gap behind the drum-keep injecting water until water coming down is clean another safe way-pull the drum off and hose down everything before you touch anything

[@richierex]

Howw can drag on one side affect the other unless it's a driven axle it won't. 🤔🤕💥😁

[@0wen1066]

The car in the video has a driveshaft going in to the hub, if your rear wheel isn’t driven then it won’t have any impact from the other side

[@corytibbetts3533]

A limited slip differential can affect both sides...I think.

[@johnharrison5098]

so when u say drag; you mean, like a "sandpaper" feel ? or actual friction?

[@JulianA-tr6pt]

I believe he is referring to the brake shoes slightly touching the drum, or "dragging".

[@VENUEATHENS]

do the drum brakes need to be balanced? my original drums had weights on them, new ones don't.. I'm getting vibration after 60

[@BrettHoustonTube]

Super thanks! If I am using the rear section of a truck as a trailer. And I'm NOT using the brakes. Should I adjust them to have no drag?

[@zakwatson4967]

I would remove all the brake components except the drum

[@modeljetjuggernaut4864]

What about if im on an inclined driveway, having the vehicle in park, how can i test for drag on the rear drum if the wheels cant move?

[@flipmaritz4807]

Very detailed walkthrough 👌

[@donnypius9453]

Is it really necessary to leave some drag on them? Wouldn't it will cause overheating on the brakes?

[@narachan291]

Could you show me again rear dram brake V6 toyota HightLander 2003

[@chewhockchai1185]

sir , your hand work is prefect

[@812CHAVEZ]

Does anyone know why the adjuster will keep extending out jamming the breaks in that wheel. Essentially making the wheel stuck. I have had to back of the adjuster two times and i do not notice leaking from the cylinder.

[@l2007303a]

I need to adjust my maxima so three clicks is that full rotation 3 times or literally 3 clicks?

[@madara_z33]

l2007303a you can adjust it with the drum on through the back door and tighten until you can anymore. Then loosen it slowly from there to find the amount of drag you need.

[@nestorriera]

Gerson Cortes I wanted to try that. But it’s not so easy getting around the back

[@salsalvador4945]

I replaced my drum, shoes, cylinder and all the springs and now I get a “click, click click” when applying the brakes (the clicking is faster or slower based on my speed when braking so it’s rotation based I’m assuming?) any ideas what I can check to be the culprit? Thanks!

[@CamaroBrad]

Did you get this fixed? I’m currently having this problem. Thanks.

[@tonygibbons5]

Hi Sal, did you figure this out? Sounds like what I have after I got new shoes installed by mechanic. Almost like a chirping to me but definitely faster or slower depending on speed wheel is rotating, and mostly only when gently breaking. I was thinking maybe catching on the backing plate or something but need to investigate. Let me know if you fixed it! 🙏

[@alfredneuman6840]

@@tonygibbons5 That could be a slightly warped rotor.....

[@Marcoosianism]

@@alfredneuman6840 There is no rotor on drum brakes.

[@adamal4856]

I had that too I ended up returning the new drums and using the old ones...I think the material in the new drums isn't as good as the OEM ones .. they were AutoZone drums...if you really need to replace the drums buy OEM from the junk yard

[@greeneyesfromohio4103]

Does the star adjustment also adjust your ebrake? My ebrake is very loose and needs tighten. I’ve heard it’s the star adjustment but then I’ve watched videos where people say theirs an adjustment nut on the base of the ebrake too adjust it. So im not sure? Need help!

[@robertcroft2352]

Great video.

[@raymond.aaricD1981]

Which way is Tigten in which way is loosen drum brakes on a Honda Civic 2002 drum brake shoes

[@brandonwebb1819]

How do you know the exact resistance

[@kirwankars8597]

Until you feel resistance by turning and hear the drag when turning the drum. It should still turn about as easy as if the shoes were turned all the way in, but then there's your perfect adjustment point.

[@TheJoemm]

How can you tell if it has the right amount of drag?

[@danakibby627]

Your video you said spray and worked her self down but you actually went in a reverse clockwise pattern

[@1AAuto]

+Dana Kibby Thanks for the feedback!

[@sglenn4076]

I recently replaced my brake booster and the pads and rotors. I also replaced the rear brake shoes and wheel cylinders. And I bled the the brakes and wheel cylinders,and adjusted the rear brake shoes . It's been a few months since but for some reason it feels like the rear brakes are not functioning properly every time I try to stop. Should I flush the entire brake system , or could it be that the slack adjusters are not working properly? I worry cause everyone in my family uses my truck and I don't know their driving habits. Thanks

[@1AAuto]

+S Glenn We wouldn't be able to diagnose an issue like that here, you may want to have a local mechanic take a look at it. Thanks for checking us out! 1AAuto.com

[@sglenn4076]

@@1AAuto thank you for your reply

[@mumtazawan1421]

Very good explanation 👏 and did nicely 👌., Appreciated..

[@danielochoa831]

could you please do a video on how to replace the parking brake.?? mine broke off at the handle.. 😩thank you.

[@1AAuto]

We're always cycling through cars filming hundreds of common repairs for common vehicles every month. We'll add this to our list of repairs to film. Check back again and hopefully we'll have it soon. +Daniel Ochoa

[@evan937]

So if I adjust the star wheel up that brings the shoes in more? I don't know which way I am supposed to turn it on my 2000 corolla. I need to loosen the shoes because they are rubbing the drum too much.

[@Chris1ar]

Have you got a vernier caliper? If so measure between the top of the shoes and you’ll see which way is correct by seeing if the gap is increasing or decreasing.

[@RenoLaringo]

You can easily find out which direction does what. When you can turn the adjuster one way and not the other it means you are tightening the shoes against the drum. Simple as that. It works like a ratchet.

[@resurgensix]

Great video very informative 👏

[@mundlkalli4396]

thank you great video.....I am sorry but I am still unclear on what you are exactly feeling for....you say DRAG ??? thank you very much !!!

[@MockingBrd.]

Basically, saying "drag" means as if the brakes are applied a bit. Not he said drag is too much, it as if he was using more energy to spin it. The purpose of it, is to balance the front brake with the back. If the back is "too free", or spinning easily, it means the front brake will be doing too much work and can overheat them.

[@mundlkalli4396]

thank you very much....your explanation made me understand it better....even though its not rocket science...lol also you made a good point by saying that the front brakes are being used more ,if not balanced . Thank you again.. !!!!!

[@SQUAREBIZ575]

how do i know if i installed the self adjuster backwards?

[@frankm2385]

Do you not recommend greasing the adjuster or other friction areas (excluding the shoe surface)?

[@willsrestorations]

Always remove the adjusters when doing the brakes and use permatex ceramic brake parts lubricant and clean them up with brake cleaner and wipe them down before you apply the permatex ceramic Grease. Also before you put the shoes on make sure that you put the ceramic grease on the backing plate there are usually six points where you smear a little bit of grease on those points that the brakes move back and forth freely they are high points when you pull off the brakes you will see them make sure they're clean before applying the grease

[@kirwankars8597]

Don't need to remove the drum. You get a much better pedal by adjusting at the small window on the back side. Just keep turning the drum til you feel and hear the drag. That's it.

[@samsue1224]

They remove the drum so it can be inspected and cleaned

[@inspiredbasketsandmorebysh7983]

My car is a 2020 do I still need to get mines adjusted

[@danielguzman8346]

My drums always make a squeaky noise after removing the tire . the noise last for week then it goes away. Any idea why?

[@gibfkn]

Is the car/truck in Neutral or Park when you do this?

[@mumtazawan1421]

Very good 👍

[@SergSpace]

6:40 What is "enough drug". How do you measure it?

[@whez08]

I have zero drag. The only way I know brakes work is hand brake slows the car a bit. The shoes are brand new.

[@whatfreedom7]

Sounds too loose. The hand brake should be able to lock them down.

[@Gtee7900]

if you leave the rear drum brakes a little loose, will the e brake self adjust after driving it?

[@OldSchoolNoe]

Yes, some duo-servo rear drum brakes self-adjust when you brake in reverse.

[@acharyajamesoermannspeaker6563]

Good.

[@OferNRaz]

Nice video. I am not sure that you are right about the automatic adjuster working when driving backward. To start with, there is nothing mechanical that can detect that you are going backward and not forward. In most cars, it works all the time. As soon as there is enough space between the dram and pads, the adjuster will turn. It is happening all the time while braking if it is functioning properly. I may be wrong about this car.

[@novanogo07]

This is wrong. The shoes pivot about a 1/4 inch when you're reversing while braking, this allows the adjuster wheel to ratchet a click tighter.

[@derekpaulson3376]

What would keep the emergency brake from going down after the drums brakes were changed?

[@toddsmith1617]

I just put new drums on my brakes I all I did was three clicks to tighten and everything works better then before including the emergency brake. I drive a civic 2010 lx.

[@thisissqueezo1307]

Homeboy looks super stoned. Great video though!

[@clinteast7476]

Are you allowed to use brake cleaner near a garage heater?

[@justintownsend7400]

Seriously?

[@valaki-ph1hd]

szoval egy ket dolgot kerdezek a dob konnyebben lejon ha egy kis w 4-t kap hany doboz brek klinort hasznal a szerelo es mennyit szamol a garage a szamlan a fekallito potosann a hatfalon keresztul allithato pontosan nem dec o right ez az eleteken is mulhat safety

[@moirasullivan731]

This is a modern drum., how about showing a typical older style also?

[@RobHTech]

good. vid. Don't spray the shoes with brake cleaner. tighten it up a little and then put drum back on and tighten from the back until perfect. BAM! This way you don't need to loosen it up.

[@Marcoosianism]

Why not spray the shoes with brake cleaner?

[@stevenolsen6360]

why setting for some drag, is that to heat and expand the drums so they lock up when hot just driving down the road, like my mech did, my wedding car didn't get to the wedding, NOW all my front and back drums are 1 click off drag so drum is cold and ready for down hill braking from cold, not to mention hand brake starts "uphill" full of customers, and you have the drums "ON" with pedal off ? should i install anchor as well

[@subramaniansrinivasan5166]

Hello, the mechanic hammered the drums to break loosen it from the wheel. Since then it's making rubbing noise while driving. Is it safe to drive? He said the drum is rusted out and next time when I change the brake shoes advised me to change the drums too. Wanted to check with you experts. Thank you in advance.

[@jaybenjamin2739]

“A what too tight “. What’s a skosh ? 😂

[@micahmobley555]

I'm from Indiana...familiar with that term here, so I knew exactly how tight he meant! ;)

[@tn4263]

Mechanic is trying to charge me 600 bucks for this

[@joshuafoster23]

No each click is an individual tooth on the gear. Count how many teeth your gear has. That number of clicks is how many it take go all the way around. But the number of clicks is irrelivant. You just adjust until it fits right for you. I think this guy just likes to hear himself talk or the script writer is trying to over complicate this operation with extra suggestions on purpose for whatever reason.

[@brianszanyi5538]

You should not have to do that as long as the automatic adjuster is working it does it on its own when you back up it's kind of misinformation to be fooling with that

[@1AAuto]

+Brian Szanyi Thanks for the feedback!

[@haikkokorian3323]

As he said, the self adjust was not working. He didn't trouble shoot to know why and repair it.

[@7918476]

"Try not to hit the studs" 1:20

[@jimmydillinger2716]

2nd hit right on the stud

[@Gtee7900]

😂

[@grantn8879]

Mask and ventilation? Where's the fun in that?

[@adamdamon920]

Dude. How high are you. High five.

[@smokeandmirrors-pk6ic]

lol I breath brake cleaner in for fun!

[@brookewoody8620]

That don't look like a Chev truck break!

[@travisk5589]

This video accurately predicts covid

[@The.Wild.Montanan]

can anyone else smell this video

[@andybub45]

1:21 thank god I dont live in the rust belt

[@1AAuto]

+Andy's Shop Thanks for checking us out!

[@streetbikebilly2597]

That's nothing

[@streetbikebilly2597]

Get the sledge out and the pb blaster and beat that thing like it owes you money

[@riccarsan2420]

Rookie don’t know how to explain jack

[@7918476]

"Try not to hit the studs" 1:20

[@manuelsalvatierra2940]

He did say try,