Drum Brake Help

R

rcrick

New member
Alright Bros, so i'm elbow deep in trying to get this 02 Runner road worthy. I unfortunately fell victim to a somewhat dishonest seller.

The rear brakes on this thing are useless, so i pulled the drums off only to find that both sides are completely missing the automatic adjuster assembly.

I've looked at the FSM but the diagram that shows all the parts doesn't show how they fit all together.

I ordered two "self adjuster repair kits" from Wagner along with a full set of springs. So I'm hoping that I have everything I need to get the rear brakes working. I tried searching but didn't have much luck in finding what i need. Does anyone have or know a link to a picture that shows how the self adjuster hardware goes in there?
 
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You're in luck I found my missing truck pictures folder (bad file management on my part) here's some images I took of my working drums.

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That's all I have, this is the REAR RIGHT Drum if it helps. Left should be mirrored.
 
Thanks so much! This is exactly what i was looking for. This is going to be a huge help.

Man, you guys are so awesome.
 
to anyone else that might run into a case of the missing adjuster, after watching the above video i came across this one and it really shows the details of how to put that adjuster thing in there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKgboMQiBr0

can you believe this, i've swapped the heads on this thing and can put a supercharger on a 5vz in my sleep but i've never touched a set of drum brakes. :sad:
 
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The only thing I'm a little sketchy on is how to adjust the brakes after everything is back together.

Do you adjust until there is just a little resisitance between ur drum and pads?

I've read that the parking brake will adjust this correctly but never inderstood how it works exactly
 
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Well the adjuster is just a little finger thing that ratchets down on the little spreader thing and also keeps it from twisting back in. Sorry for all of these highly technical terms haha.

So in theory, if the self adjuster hardware is intact it should stay tight. My dad said that they will adjust when you drive in reverse and apply the brakes.
 
rcrick said:
Well the adjuster is just a little finger thing that ratchets down on the little spreader thing and also keeps it from twisting back in. Sorry for all of these highly technical terms haha.

So in theory, if the self adjuster hardware is intact it should stay tight. My dad said that they will adjust when you drive in reverse and apply the brakes.
Click to expand...

I think that only works on mostly the american autos with a servo system. I'm pretty sure ours are non servo systems which use the e-brake to adjust.

I do remember my dad getting pissed many years ago with our astro vans brake issues and driving like a maniac in reverse and slamming on the brakes....those were the days! Haha

I'm talking about switching in new pads and taking the old ones out. You will have to adjust for the extra room the new brakes with thicker padding will have.
 
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cj80cruiser said:
I think that only works on mostly the american autos with a servo system. I'm pretty sure ours are non servo systems which use the e-brake to adjust.

I do remember my dad getting pissed many years ago with our astro vans brake issues and driving like a maniac in reverse and slamming on the brakes....those were the days! Haha

I'm talking about switching in new pads and taking the old ones out. You will have to adjust for the extra room the new brakes with thicker padding will have.
Click to expand...

This. No reversing needed. Just work the e-brake.
 
TheDurk said:
This. No reversing needed. Just work the e-brake.
Click to expand...

So Durk, I should just throw the shoes and drums on, hop inside the cab, and work the e-brake until it gets tight? Or should I do the majority of the adjusting before putting the drum and tire back on?
 
cj80cruiser said:
I do remember my dad getting pissed many years ago with our astro vans brake issues and driving like a maniac in reverse and slamming on the brakes....those were the days! Haha
Click to expand...

hahaha!!!.....I have the same memory of my father in his dodge ramcharger.
In a empty parking lot reversing what seemed like 100 mph and locking the brakes up.

For some reason it's one of those more clearer memories, probably cause I was laughing my ass off at the time.

With the drum off, you can actually see how the e-brake adjustment is done. All you need to do is pull the bell crank that is the mechanism on the backside of the housing. You can watch it pull the levers and pivots within the brake system and see and hear it rotate the adjustment screw therefore mimicking what happens when you pull up on the e-brake in the cab.
 
Hahahahaha yeah I was totally basing my comment on my child hood experiences of my dad backing down the driveway and slamming on the brakes.

And because I always use my e-brake I would have most undoubtedly assumed that it was the high speed reversing that got my brakes tight. Haha
 
Ghostrider said:
Am I the only one who is curious why the adjuster was removed?
Click to expand...

Nope, I'm utterly baffled. Just gave up on trying to rationalize it pretty fast. I'm stocking it in the same category as to how they managed to loose the oil filler cap. Yes, it has a generic parts store cap on the valve cover.
 
cj80cruiser said:
So Durk, I should just throw the shoes and drums on, hop inside the cab, and work the e-brake until it gets tight? Or should I do the majority of the adjusting before putting the drum and tire back on?
Click to expand...

I got it close, and then went to the e-brake. But I assume the other way would work as well.

I assume the adjuster was pulled because it was locking up the brakes. Correct shoes and adjusting the bellcranks to spec should resolve that, but some people can't be bothered.

My son left his oil filler cap loose and lost it. What a mess!!
 
Thanks for all the advice guys. I've got everything back in place and as it turns out the rear adjusters ARE (edit) over adjusting just as you (thedurk) has pointed out above. I adjusted the bellcrank to my understanding and it doesn't seem to help. Is there a secret to adjusting the bellcranks? I could really use some guidance as this is driving me crazy and I don't want to burn up the new bearings I just installed.
 
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Bellcrank adjustment

This is the online manual for the 2002 but it applies to our 3rd gens.

Full manual

When I rehab'd my rear brakes, they refused to reset correctly. I found the pivot in the cable between L and R drums was very rusted. Had to disassemble it, clean out the rust, grease it and put it together. Works fine now.

FYI. This manual keeps getting taken down and someone uploads it in a different location. So print it or save it to your computer because it could be gone tomorrow.
;)
 
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I have followed the directions for adjusting the bellcranks to the letter and the passenger side is still over-adjusting.
 
rcrick said:
I have followed the directions for adjusting the bellcranks to the letter and the passenger side is still over-adjusting.
Click to expand...

What shoes are you using? Some have found that the only way to solve this problem is to install OEM shoes. Some aftermarket shoes don't fit correctly and thus do not adjust.
 
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