[George Attia]

Hey Guys, I recently purchased a brand new drum set for my 7th gen 2001 celica. I've had a mechanic install it and drove out of the shop in perfect working condition. A week later i realize that the Shoes aren't making contact with the drum whatsoever and i'm only really using my front breaks. I go back to the shop and the readjust the shoes to make them make contact with the drum and it worked for a week then exact same issue happened. I've taken it to 2 shops afterwards and they were unsure what the issue was. One said it could be my break line but the other confirmed that my break lines were fine.
Also my hand break does absolutely nothing at this point. I'm driving with the hand break up because it helps with the breaking. If i were to drop the hand break and try to use my breaks then there would be zero contact at the back but when its up and i push the breaks it actually helps a little bit. As if its pulling the shoes further out so when i hit the break it actually makes contact.

I've just spent too much money trying to get it checked out so I'm wondering if any of you have any idea on how to fix it or anything specific i should look at.

 

[Vulcan05]

Have a qualified mechanic check to make sure the self-adjusting mechanism was installed correctly on your BRAKES.

 

[George Attia]

I've had 2 mechanics look at it 3 times so far. I've had the first one and the second one both adjust the shoes with no luck. I'm kind of worried that he may have installed it wrong or there is a part missing. IF that were the case though id assume he wouldn't miss that part for both of the breaks.
Thanks for the response!

 

[Timpy311]

He could have the self adjusters backwards, only thought I have on this, my advice is to get a proper diagram do it yourself. At least if you do it by FSM standards yourself you'll know it's correct, I'd say at least pull it apart and compare you set up.

On another note, IIRC correctly, to adjust your rear drum brakes; set your e brake, and slowly reverse, you should hear clicking. If you don't then the self adjusters are backwards. DOING THIS WILL CHANGE YOUR BRAKES

Good luck
Tim

 

[Vulcan05]

BRAKES, George, BRAKES.

Go to AutoZone or any parts place that will give you a copy of what your back BRAKES should look like. I'm still betting that they were not put together correctly.

 

[George Attia]

Thanks guys! my Breaks are finally working!
jks Brakes lol.. sorry about that.

Turned out that the self adjuster was installed incorrectly as you said. I went back to the shop that installed them and had them correct it.

I really appreciate the help.