Brake Adjustment

(Difference between revisions)

Revision as of 20:34, 14 July 2015

Drum brakes require periodic adjustment for optimal braking performance. Disc brakes require no adjusting.

Master Cylinder

See Brake master cylinder for adjustment procedure.

Front Drum Brakes

If you have front drum brakes, they are adjusted the same way as the rear brakes.

Rear Brake Adjustment

Preparation:

1. Securely block the front wheels
2. Release hand brake -- you need to be able to spin the wheels
3. Put the gearbox in neutral
4. Jack one rear wheel up
5. Place safety stand under jacked corner

Adjustment:

1. While turning wheel slightly, turn adjuster clock-wise (using 1/4" wrench)
2. Get it as tight as possible by hand, using moderate force. Don't be a muscleman on this little bolt. Even so, you'll find that a quality 1/4" wrench is needed, as cheap ones will bend or break
3. Be sure to back off to the flat of the adjuster. You can't see it, but you will feel it.
4. Ensure the wheel still turns. It can be a little tight (it will 'bed' or loosen up while driving), but you must be able to still turn fairly easy by hand.
5. Ensure that emergency brake cable is still slightly slack. Loosen e-brake cable if necessary.
6. Press the brake pedal and re-ensure the wheel turns freely
7. Repeat for other side

Hand Brake

Adjust the embegency hand brake after adjusting the rear drum brakes.

Underneath the vehicle, the cable has an adustable turnbuckle. This is the only adjustment point for the hand brake. Tighten the cable until the handbrake lever can only be pulled to the sixth click with 30 pounds of pull (moderate force).

When the lever can be pulled to the tenth click, it is time to readjust it.

Loosen the locknut (3), turn the buckle (2) to tighten the cable. Then tighten the lock nut.