Adjusting rear brakes - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

wiccanferret · 08-08-2007, 08:47 AM

I need to adjust my rear drum brakes on my '89 Celica I think. Are they self adjusting? How do I check and adjust? I have no experience with drum brakes besides changing wheel cylinders...

Boxedin · 08-08-2007, 11:57 AM

What you are going to do, there is an inspection hole in the backing plate for the drum. You can identify this because the should be a little rubber filler for that hole. when you peek through that hole there should be an exposed adjuster, it looks like a mini gear. rotate the drum and there should be a very small amount of contact on the drum with the brake shoes, you will know it is adjusted properly when this occurs. However if it is sticky or free turns with absolutely no contact you will have to turn that adjuster from the backside to get the result I just described. If you can get the drum off you will be able to turn the adjuster from the front which is alot easier. Turn it some slap the drum back on and continue this process until you reach the desired result. I find it easiest to use a flat-head screwdriver to turn the adjuster. This adjuster SHOULD be self adjusting but that is not always the case. sometimes rolling backwards about 5 mph and using your handbrake can clear this up. Always use your handbrake as a precaution so they stay adjusted for as long as they can. At any rate if you have more questions, or if my directions lack clarity feel free to respond. I'm always happy to help! Good luck!

wiccanferret · 08-08-2007, 12:31 PM

Cool, thanks for the info...that's exactly what I needed.

wiccanferret · 08-10-2007, 08:49 AM

The rolling backwards and using the E-Brake trick actually did pretty well. Thanks for that.

Boxedin · 08-10-2007, 09:11 AM

never a problem, let me know if you have anymore questions.

Rico · 08-12-2007, 03:19 PM

Is this for the parking brake drum? Because I'm not too sure if it's normal, but my e-brake does not work for me when moving in reverse. Basically if the e-brake is engaged I can still drive in reverse.

So my question is, would that -5mph with the handbrake up trick work to adjust those shoes?

Thanks!

wiccanferret · 08-13-2007, 08:45 AM

I can still power past the E-brake, but it will slow and then stop the car if I'm only going like 5 mph.

Boxedin · 08-13-2007, 11:53 AM

You should be able to power past the e-brake. However, if your e-brake does not work in reverse you need to get that drum off and take a look at the parking brake mechanism that attatches to the shoe. That or the wheel cylinder could be overextended on one side. It's really hard to say. Sometimes you just have to pull the drum off and do a proper cleaning and adjusting.