Need instructions to adjust rear brakes (inspection TOMORROW!)

[smileyfaceguy]

Hi, I need to adjust my rear dru,m brakes on my 02 ford taurus. There is an inspection tomorrow, One side is OK the other needs adjustment .Thanks!

[shorod]

You'll need to start by jacking up the rear and safely supporting the car with jackstands. Adjusting the rear drums is easier with the wheels off, but can be accomplished with the wheels still installed.

There should be a rubber plug that has somewhat of an oval shape to it, stuffed in the backing plate. The plug is probably above the axle and slightly offset from center. Remove the plug and use a long flat screwdriver or brake adjusting bar, insert it through the hole, and you should make contact with something. Back the screwdriver/bar out slightly, tilt the exposed end up (which positions the end inside the drum downward), insert further, then pull the bar down to rotate the cogged wheel. Spin the drum and see if it's not rubbing lightly on the brake shoes. Compare the effort to rotate the drum with the other side that does not need adjustment. Get both sides as close to the same as possible.

A better way would be to remove the drum and make the adjustment from the outside (front) of the system. This way you can see what you are doing, you can inspect the condition of the shoes, and if the self adjuster is not working you can remove it, clean it, lube it, and reinstall.

The adjusters should self adjust by applying the brakes firmly while reversing the car. If they were set properly to begin with, one being too loose would suggest something is not working as designed.

Also, if you had your brakes inspected by a shop and they pointed out that one side needs to be adjusted, there is probably more to it than what you're going to be able to remedy through the access plug. If not, I would have expected the shop to perform the adjustment for you since it would have only taken an extra minute or so while they were inspecting the condition of the shoes and springs. For them to not do that, they were either lazy or they discovered something that convinced them more work will be required than just adjusting them.

-Rod

[smileyfaceguy]

thanks man, i did it wuth the drums iff and brakes seemed much better. it's at the shop now :/

[smileyfaceguy]

Although they got me for a coupla tie rod ends THE BRAKES PASSED!