The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest drum brake adjustment tool

what do you use to turn that funny cartwheel inside of the brake drums? I prefer use something from the standard toolbox, but I don't want to wreck the teeth

seetz: its called a Brake "spoon". One end is sort of straight and the other end is sort of bent. One end makes it easier when tightening the shoes and the other end makes it easy to loosen or back them off. Just depends on which way you want to turn it.

http://www.kd-tools.com/282.htm
http://www.lislecorp.com/tool_detail.cfm?detail=1006
Should be able to get an adjuster spoon from the flaps. The 2 I posted are the most likely brands that you'll find.

thanks! I'm going to try a real spoon. will post tomorrow if it worked or not

Seetz

pretty much anything reasonably solid & flat will trip the starwheel. I could not find my brake spoon today, so I used a medium flat screwdriver. Right tool-NO, Did it work -YES.

I have brakes now.
Brad

Yup large screwdriver here..but a spoon sure sounds nice

Keith

The spoon is pretty much a screwdriver grind with a bent shank for easier clearance. If you can adjust it with a large screwdriver you don't need the spoon.

What's a brake spoon cost these days? They used to be about 69 cents. If they were $100 I could see where you guys might be exploring alternatives. As it is, y'all will have outsiders thinking, "Them Stovebolters are tighter than bark on a tree."

About $8 http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...ols&sName=Automotive+Specialty+Tools

I USED to use a screwdriver, it worked OK on most jobs. But since I got a spoon, I'll never use a screwdriver again. Never have issues with clearnace or angle, they just work better.

Of course I had a couple adjusters in the back of the dump truck that needed persuasion, but that involved removing the drum and a forcful conversation with a hammer and a punch.

ok, here's the results: regular spoon DOES NOT work. remember that guy Uri Geller, that bent spoons? well, I can do that too.
brake spoon is 5.49 at Napa. now the star wheel doesn't turn, probably because I turned it all the way back when installing the drum again. so take wheel off etc. again. already ruined a dust cap when the wheel slipped while I was putting it on. (you know what a 19.5" wheel weighs? and that it becomes 10x as heavy when you try to mount it on an 8 lug hub?).
and of course, I take a look to the left under the truck, and somehow nuts on my U-bolts came undone. aahhh. the domino game is in full effect
seems that 2 full years of daily driver duty is taking it's toll on the truck, looks like I'm facing some major servicing.
oh and what started all this? a little rubber boot on the wheel cylinder that came halfway off.

I have two of them in my tool box. Bought them a way back when at the local Western Auto store.I believe that was in the mid 50s. Cost was less than a dollar a piece.Course with inflation,they are probably a tad bit more now.