Saturn SL Brake Star-Wheel adjuster

Adjusting the star-wheel on a 1993 SL1 requires a uniquely shaped adjustment tool as the star-wheel is not behind the access slot. Rather, it is several inches away - toward the rear. In other words, the slot in the backing plate is nearer the front shoe, and the star-wheel is nearer the back shoe. I've seen a picture of the tool in a Chilton's manual, but can't find one.

Does anyone know where they are sold? Why didn't Saturn put the slot directly behind the star-wheel, like everyone else?

Gary

Reply to
Gary Compton
Loading thread data ...

I'll answer my own question in case anyone is interested (not likely, judging from the response). I was able to fashion a tool which worked adequately by bending a long thin bladed screwdriver to an angle of about 35 degrees about and inch and three quarters from the tip. Hint - heat the blade with a torch before bending. Thus modified, I was able to reach and adjust the star-wheel through the access slot, using the side of the bent screwdriver to turn the wheel. The brake peddle is now up where it belongs.

Reply to
Gary Compton

Is it possible that the car was improperly reassembled at some point before you got it?

Ken

Reply to
Napalm Heart

"Napalm Heart" typed until their fingers bled, and came up with:

Not unless they all were.

Reply to
Kevin M. Keller

This is what I thought. There is a similar post from a couple of weeks ago that I started when I saw the same problem with my car. I thought the backing plates had been switched. But apparently, this is the way Saturn designed the brakes.

My idea is to make a second slot which lines up with the star adjuster. I have not tried this yet.

-David

Reply to
David Teichholtz

David:

Reply to
Gary Compton

fingers bled,

Fortunately, I haven't had to change the rear brakes on our '96 SL2 yet, even though we've had it for about 4 years and 50,000 miles. I'll likely have to do them soon, as the fronts went about a week after a similar post. ;+) Glad I got the heads up on this here.

Ken

formatting link

Reply to
Napalm Heart

The front brakes do about 80% of the braking. The rear brakes tend to last 100k miles or far longer.

Reply to
Blah Blah

Nah.. Use a drill bit to measure the width of the current slot. After marking where you want the new slot, use the bit that matched the width and drill two holes, one at each end of the slot. Then use your pneumatic metal cutting wheel (wizzer wheel) and cut the metal to connect the two holes. Finish up with a file and you are done. A standard brake adjusting rubber cap will then be used to seal the slot, exactly as the current one is sealed.

-David

Reply to
David Teichholtz

Not usually for me. ;+)

Ken

Reply to
Napalm Heart

I did the rear brakes on my son's '96 SL1 at 112K miles. They were still original equipment, but the car saw a lot of highway miles. I had no trouble setting the adjusters before re-installing the drums. I replaced the springs and other hardware at the same time and turned the drums too.

Reply to
Bob Shuman

replying to Gary Compton, Richard wrote: Thanks Gary !!! (fourteen years later, this is exactly what I needed to know)

Reply to
Richard

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.