ive put new rear brake shoes on my datsun,(120y), i cant fit the brake drum over the shoe's ,is there any adjustment so i can fit the drum over the shoes

No offence... But if you dont know how to adjust rear brakes you shouldnt have pulled them apart. These are your brakes remember. And you obiously dont have a workshop manual either.

thanx for the info , i'll try to have all the theory ,and prac experince next time i ask for help , no offence!

Yeh well now im just about a qualifyed mechanic I take pride in my trade and doing a job well. Not just doing it and getting it out the door like some shops. I dont know how people (in the industry or not) can sleep at night knowing they've done a job on a car without actualy knowing what their doing! Esp brakes. This is why the industry is becoming licenced so if you are not licenced you cannot actually do this stuff at home! (legally)

Sorry bout the rant, it just ####s me!

To try to get the drum on

1) There should be a star wheel adjuster. Adjust it all the way in. The slide the drum over and re adjust till there is approprate drag.
2) Is the handbrake on??? Take it off if it is!
3) Are the shues in the middle of the backing plate and even all the way around?
4) Are all the springs/arms in correctly, they could be holding the shues apart.
5) Is the wheel cylinder holding open? Try cracking the bleeder if you need to push it back.

just some things to look for

wat diff do you have??? borgy or the h145???

there is no star adjuster , i only pulled one side apart , so i could use the other side as reference, ive checked all springs and they are pulling inwards,. Im sorry to be a pain in the arse ,but i like to have a go at things b4 i have to pay out mega bucks . I have the japo diff if this helps. cheers mark...

Ahh ok. Too much time spent on non Datto diffs.

Looking in my 1000/1200 book just jogged my memory (if its a H145, donno if thats Jap or not???)

There is a small sqare bolt type thing sticking out the back (diff side) of the backing plate. Undo it. Thats your adjuster. Maybe take a pic?

Is there a lip on the outer edge of your drums?

there is a square drive adjuster. It clicks at 90 degree intervals. Get a small shifter and unscrew it until the new shoes shrink in diameter. You can then re-centre the drum linings so the drum will slide on.

Then while the car is in the air, put the wheel back on, turn the wheel and adjust the shoes until they just grab and go back one click.

EDIT. I'm going to start posting at 5am so I don't get answered underneath of..

i can see the square bolt on the backing plate, thanx heaps lads ,sorry to rustle any feathers ,

Pfft dont worry, only my feathers got russled

Good luck!