brake issues

[wwatkins62]

I'm new to the site and new to the whole forum thing so pleese bear with me. I just change the brake shoes on my '95 4Runner and now I have no rear brakes. I'm assuming that it has to do with the tension bar, but with the bar extendeed the drum will not go back on to the wheel. Any help will be greatly apreciated.

 

[Uneek]

I'm not sure if I understand your question correctly, are you unable to get the drum cap back on? If so see my first paragraph.

Take a look at this article from 4x4wire.com. What you need to do is turn the star wheel back down, because the brakes self-adjust between each time you apply them from forward and reverse directions. The star wheel part is in this picture. With new shoes, the thickness is more than that of your old/worned shoes causing the drums not being able to fit over them. You're trying to accomplish the same thing as compressing/clamping back down the caliper piston on a disc brake setup.

If you got the drum cap back on, try adjusting the star wheel so that it pushes the shoes out far enough so that you feel some drag and resistance when reinstalling the drum cap.

 

[wwatkins62]

Thanks for your help. I'll try it out this weekend and see how it works. The link you gave me was GREAT.

 

[khooper]

You might be able to fix yours. Give it a thorough soaking to release the pistons and check the spring is still attached and in good order.
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