Brake Adjustment

Revision as of 02:37, 14 March 2010; view current revision
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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

Rear Brake Adjustment

1. Securely block the front wheels
2. Release hand brake -- you need to be able to spin the wheels
3. Put the gearbox in nuetral
4. Jack one rear wheel up
5. Place safety stand under jacked corner
6. While turning wheel slightly, turn adjuster clock-wise (using 1/4" wrench)
7. 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
8. Be sure to back off to the flat of the adjuster. You can't see it, but you will feel it.
9. 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.
10. Ensure that emergency brake cable is still slightly slack. Loosen e-brake cable if necessary.
11. Repeat for other side