The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline de-adjust rear brakes

this is a real stupid question,im trying to get the rear brake drums off my 54 pickup can you folks tell me how to de-adjust the brakes so i can get them off thanks john

You adjust the star wheel in the opposite direction that tightens them. Push down on the tool on the outside of the backing plate to back them off.

i tried that still not working,does the spring hold the star wheel from turning in the opposite direction? thanks john

IF someone has put self-adjusters on it, you will need to 'push out' the ratchet plate to turn the star wheel in. An icepick works great, you just have to put it thru the backing plate slot & push outwards, hopefully you have it on the plate, if so, you'll feel some 'spring resistance' after making contact with it. Then just push it outwards towards the wheel about 1/4". Then, while maintaining that, with your other hand, de-adjust the star wheel. Don't worry, it's easier done than said.
Doug

thank you i will give it a try in the morning, will let you know how it works out thanks for your help

If indeed it has self adj. brakes the star wheel will turn in the opposite previously described. You may need to spray a little penitrant on the adjuster with the "straw" that comes with most brands.

Are after-market self-adjusters available for 1954 1/2 ton truck brakes?

John,

If worse comes to worse, maybe people will post techniques for pulling off the stuck drums by various brute-force methods. I hesitate to say that I have done this with a perversely rigged come-along.

The adjusters might be stuck (Wrenchbender's advice might help) and/or the drums might be "rust welded" to the rear axles. Any mounting hardware that might break due to brute-force removal is easy to replace (and, you might plan/want to replace the mounting hardware anyway).

it does not have self adjusters,i am able to turn the adjustment wheel to tighten the brakes,when i try to de-adjust it seems to jam up,from what i can see it seems the spring is preventing it from turning,if i push the spring out of the way still no luck,ahhh i dont know im heading over to play with it again in a little bit,ill keep you folks updated,as always thanks for all your help john

If it turns one way it should turn the other.
Is the drum loose from the axle flange?
Ive had to poke a torch through the slot b& blast the adjuster into but I think you will be able to turn the adjuster.

If you have not done this before, the angle of the blade that you are using can help or hinder turning the star.

ok folks,first let me start by saying thank you for all your help,i got both rear drums off today,it turns out,you guys are right it did turn both ways,what happened was it was all the way de-adjusted the wheel clyinders were completely rusted they would not move, after sitting 30 years so we used a couple of pry bars and hammers and beat the crap out of it and finally it came off.
thanks again

Thanks for the update - Doug