I've searched and can't find the exact answer to my question. Hope you guys can help. I have a completely stock, '52 Chevy, 3100. Noticed that I have quite a bit of brake pedal travel, and did some research and learned that the brakes must be adjusted manually. I've never had the drums off the back (owned the truck five years), so figured it might be time for a brake rebuild. Got the drums off, and there is still a good bit of shoe and no sign of fluid leakage, so just figured an adjustment would be in order. The problem is, how in the heck do you turn that star adjuster? Everything turns, nothing is seized (I soaked in Kroil for a couple of days). I can loosen the brakes fairly easily, but tightening is almost impossible. Even with the drums removed, and prying the spring that prevents starwheel movement up out of the way, that thing will barely tighten. When I put on the drums and try to tighten through the hole in the backing plate, there is absolutely NO WAY. Sure, I don't have the special GM tool that the shop manual calls for. But, I have tightened more than one set of drum brakes with a screwdriver. What am I missing here? Is it really as easy as the manual says? I have managed to tighten the back brakes by turning a little bit, putting on the drum and if it loose tighten a little more, try again, etc., and keep doing this until I can barely get that drum to go on. I do not think I should have to do this on the front brakes. Help please?
