How To Adjust Brakes On Semi

Many vehicles come up equipped with drum brakes. For many years, disc brakes accept been used at the front of the vehicles while drum brakes are used at the rear.

Drum brakes can concluding a very long time, if maintained properly. Periodic adjustment of the drum brakes makes certain that the brakes do not drag when driving equally this can rob power from the vehicle and cause the brakes to wear out much more quickly.

Drum brakes usually need to be adapted when the brake pedal has to be pressed downward a lot before the brakes engage. Adjustments tin exist done just on brakes that are in good shape. Keep in mind that non all drum brakes are adjustable. To ostend your brakes are in skillful working order earlier you adjust them, check your vehicle for symptoms of a bad or failing drum brake.

This article covers the adjustment procedure for pulsate brakes of the star bike type.

Function 1 of 3: Prepare to suit the drum brakes

Materials needed

• Middle Protection
• Jack
• Jack stands
• Rags or paper towels
• Screwdriver
• Socket and ratchet set
• Torque wrench

Stride ane: Elevator the rear terminate of the vehicle. Make certain the vehicle is in park and that the parking restriction is set.

At the rear end of the vehicle, place the jack at a safe location nether the vehicle and lift one side of the vehicle off the basis. Place a jack stand under the lifted side.

Echo this process on the other side every bit well. Leave the jack in place as a safety measure to provide extra support for your vehicle.

• Warning: Improper lifting of a vehicle tin can result in serious damage or even death. Ever follow the manufacturer's lifting instructions and but work on apartment, level footing. But lift the vehicle at the recommended lift points given in your owner'south manual.

Pace 2: Remove the tire. With the vehicle lifted safely and secured, it is time to remove the tires.

Remove the tires on both sides by unbolting the lug nuts. Keep the nuts in a safe location so that y'all tin can notice them easily. Remove the tires and set them aside for some fourth dimension.

Function 2 of three: Conform the drum brake

Step i: Access the pulsate brake adjustment star bicycle. The drum brake adjuster is located under an access cover in the dorsum of the drum brake.

Using the screwdriver, gently pry out the rubber grommet that protects this access cover.

Pace 2: Suit the star wheel. Plow the star-shaped adjuster a few times. If information technology does not finish turning due to the pads hitting the pulsate, then turn the star in the other direction.

Later the pads striking the drum, back the star bicycle off by one click.

Spin the pulsate with your hand and feel for any elevate. The drum should spin freely with very minimal drag.

If besides much drag is present, so back off the star adjuster slightly. Practise this in small increments until the brake is adjusted to where you would like it to be.

Repeat this procedure on the other side of the vehicle.

Part 3 of 3: Check your work

Pace ane: Check your work. Once the brakes are adjusted to your satisfaction, put the adjuster cycle embrace dorsum into its place on the back of the drums.

Await over your piece of work and ostend that everything is in position.

Step two: Install the tires. Put the wheels back onto the car. Using the ratchet or the tire fe, tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern until they are snug.

Make sure to torque the wheels co-ordinate to the manufacturer's specifications. Do the torque procedure in a star pattern as well.

Footstep 3: Lower the vehicle. Using the jack on a elevator point, lift the vehicle enough to be able to slip the jack stand up out from nether the vehicle. Once the jack stand up is out of the mode, lower the vehicle to the ground on that side.

Repeat this procedure on the other side of the vehicle every bit well.

Stride 4: Examination drive your vehicle. Take the vehicle on a exam drive to confirm the restriction adjustment.

Before driving, pump the restriction pedal a few times to seat the brakes and confirm that the pedal operates properly.

Drive the vehicle in a prophylactic location and brand sure that the brakes part properly.

Adjusting your drum brakes volition allow them to last much longer and will preclude a dragging brake. If the restriction drags, information technology tin can cause a loss of power and lower the fuel milage of the vehicle.

If you feel uncomfortable performing this process on your ain, you can get an experienced technician from YourMechanic to adjust the drum brakes for you. If needed, the certified professionals at YourMechanic tin even replace the drum brake for y'all.

The statements expressed above are simply for informational purposes and should exist independently verified. Delight see our terms of service for more than details

Source: https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-adjust-drum-brakes-by-spencer-clayton

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