1997 safari rear brakes

[Mobiletec]

Hi everyone. i have a problem with my rear brakes. Did the rear shoes and new drums. all hardware looks great adjusters are in proper position. greesed the backing plates and star adjusters. all good,but every few months or depending on how much braking is done in the city. The rear shoes don`t self adjust. even when appling the brakes as going in reverse. if i manually adjust them there great for few months then they get loose and i notice when i stop and sometimes let go of the pedel quick it seems as they stick and kinda hop. almost as like when you have the emergency brake on and your foot off the pedel and release the emerg brake theses that little hop as the shoes release. Shoes are new and just replaced them 2 months ago today had to adjust them again, Any thoughts as to what this could be. all the hardware is good and the star adjusters are cleaned and lubed . Thanks

[old_master]

The brakes on the rear of your Safari self adjust in reverse, if everything is assembled correctly and the adjusters move freely. (had to clarify that )

When you apply the brakes going forward: if they need adjustment, the shoe assemblies rotate slightly, (passenger side rotates clockwise, driver side rotates counter clockwise). When you apply the brakes in reverse, (applying the brakes lightly in reverse will not activate the adjuster mechanism, you gotta hit 'em pretty hard) they rotate slightly in the oposite direction. As they move, the adjuster lever contacts the star wheel and moves it slightly, if necessary. This happens on the first application of the brakes ONLY. After that one brake application, the shoes need to be re-set by driving forward and applying the brakes. Then you can go in reverse and apply the brakes again. Repeatedly applying the brakes in reverse, without re-setting, does nothing to adjust the brakes, they must be re-set each time. You can usually hear the adjusters "snap" when they are working correctly. When the rear brakes are in proper adjustment, there is little rotational movement of the shoe assemblies, as a result, the self adjusters will not over adjust the shoes.

[Mobiletec]

Originally Posted by old_master

The brakes on the rear of your Safari self adjust in reverse, if everything is assembled correctly and the adjusters move freely. (had to clarify that )

When you apply the brakes going forward: if they need adjustment, the shoe assemblies rotate slightly, (passenger side rotates clockwise, driver side rotates counter clockwise). When you apply the brakes in reverse, (applying the brakes lightly in reverse will not activate the adjuster mechanism, you gotta hit 'em pretty hard) they rotate slightly in the oposite direction. As they move, the adjuster lever contacts the star wheel and moves it slightly, if necessary. This happens on the first application of the brakes ONLY. After that one brake application, the shoes need to be re-set by driving forward and applying the brakes. Then you can go in reverse and apply the brakes again. Repeatedly applying the brakes in reverse, without re-setting, does nothing to adjust the brakes, they must be re-set each time. You can usually hear the adjusters "snap" when they are working correctly. When the rear brakes are in proper adjustment, there is little rotational movement of the shoe assemblies, as a result, the self adjusters will not over adjust the shoes.

Thanks old master I`am a Small engine mechanic and do all my own repairs truck never saw a mechanic shop in its life. had older 80 cars and have a 1980 trans am with 50,000 original paint too. some of my older cars were scraped running only because the things rotted out. LOL. Always figured hitting the brakes in reverse adjusted them period. Had no idea about the re-set. Thanks for the info being dealing with this non self adjustment for awhile figured it was maybe wheel cylinders or brake flex lines. I adjusted them today but will surely periodically do that sequence for adjusting the shoes. Thanks for your quick and informative reply. Regards

[nxk2000]

I thought I had a pretty good idea about adjusting breaks until I read the manual for my 97 Astro. According to the manual it says to adjust until wheels can just be turned by hand then back adjuster off 24 notches. Seems a bit excessive. Of course they will self adjust as stated above.

[old_master]

Better get rid of that manual, must be a Chilton or Haynes.

[Mobiletec]

Originally Posted by old_master

Better get rid of that manual, must be a Chilton or Haynes.

LOL Thats for sure. That I never heard of back them off 24 clicks your back to square one LOL.

[bunchacrappyfords]

That's supposed to say 2-4 notches lol!
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[nxk2000]

Originally Posted by old_master

Better get rid of that manual, must be a Chilton or Haynes.

It's from Alldata. Even says there should be no drag after 12 notches.

[consultIII]

Hey...I didn't know that either.

I'm having the same adjustment problem (must adjust star wheel out every 3 months)however my rear drums are non-servo (93 ford taurus) and I believe they self adjust by e-brake application. Star wheels are on the correct side and are not seized. e-brake cables move freely and are tight at 6 clicks. Ideas anyone?

[Mobiletec]

We Are talking about safari -astros GMC for that matter. Post a new thread for your Ford problem.

[Mobiletec]

OK readjusted the back brakes, sanded the pads, drums regreeased the shoe contact points, intalled a new hardware kit, Brakes work fine ,But i still get abit of stickyness when i stop and slightly release the brakes!. Ohh pads are new aswell, No leaks anywere. Thinking maybe could be bad wheel cylinders,but they seem free and don`t stick or bind. Anyone got any thoughts as to what Next. Thanks Guys.

[Mobiletec]

OK I`m an Idiot LOL. I Cycled the e brake a few times and the rear shoes don`t stick anymore. I remember adjusting that cable in the summer. Probably overtightend it . Seems fine know .

[old_master]

Thanks for the update. When the rear shoes are replaced, the parking brake cable should be adjusted. Then, when you notice the parking brake pedal going down a bit far, or not holding as well, the rear shoes probably need adjustment or replacement. Theoretically, you shouldn't have to adjust the parking brake during the life of the rear brake shoes.

[Mobiletec]

Originally Posted by old_master

Thanks for the update. When the rear shoes are replaced, the parking brake cable should be adjusted. Then, when you notice the parking brake pedal going down a bit far, or not holding as well, the rear shoes probably need adjustment or replacement. Theoretically, you shouldn't have to adjust the parking brake during the life of the rear brake shoes.

OK I`am a double idiot. The bloody Hopping issue were the Leaf spring bushings LOL. When you stop and let go of the brake pedal at a stop the leaf springs expand abit and if the bushings are worn and don`t ride well in there. They stick and jump after the vehicle comes to a stop and the rear drops abit. The way i figured this out is with more passengers in the rear the back end would not raise up at a stop. Basically ran more level. Anyways always learn something new everyday.