Rear Brakes - How Tight to adjust the shoes - How hot should drums get from driving?

[BrianSD_42]

Like the title says: Rear Brakes - How Tight to adjust the shoes - How hot should drums get from driving?

So I recently redid my rear brakes with help of [MENTION=95206]10ac[/MENTION]

We installed new Toyota shoes and Napa drums. Then adjusted them until they were tight enough to engage but loose enough so they don't slow the vehicle at about 3-5 mph. Then I did some fwd braking, then reverse braking and then I pulled the e-brake really hard 40 times.

Even after all that adjustment, the drums get pretty hot from just driving on the freeway. I went to Costco and took the hwy, only braked less than 5 times and when I pulled into parking lot ... No burning smell though.

Yet ... The drums are hot to the touch. My concern is that if I drive further they will heat up and burn up or something.

So is this normal?

 

[shootmymime]

if they are not catching while you spin the wheel by hand your fine.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Yep, especially with the new drums on it. If you go out in the dark and they are glowing, then there is a problem.

With the 4runner on the ground you should be able to take a brake spoon (or for me a short stubby flat head screwdriver works 10x better) and move the star adjuster just barely.

The drum brakes for these 4runners are not the best for sure.

 

[BrianSD_42]

So I just tested it on flat pavement to see how freely the wheels spin with rear in the air. I could barely spin the rear wheels. Obviously parking brake was not engaged

I then adjusted each side about 5-6 clicks inward (spinning the inside gear downward) and tried again. The diagram below is by user "mom" - I found it helpful.

Now I can easily move the wheels but they don't spin for more than 1-2 seconds so some minor resistance. We'll see what it's like after I drive a bit.

 

[shootmymime]

That sounds better

 

[LittleCaesar]

Brian,

If you have the ability to push the push plate off the star adjuster (I use a long 90 degree pick), then with your spoon or flat blade stubby screwdriver, spin the adjuster until you literally feel the shoes pressing up against the drum, then barely back off.

Drive around, find a hill, then pull up the parking brake. Five clicks should get it to stop.