Hi folks, This is a question about my Jeep, but I have built a trust with folks here and I wish to ask the generic opinion here please. It is at least about vehicles .
I have now got around to pulling off my rear drum to have a lookey at the rear brakes. The situation was that I failed for braking differential between the front and the rear brakes in the state inspection. The assumption was that the rear brakes were worn out at 90K miles. I had done the fronts some time ago. I was expecting to have to bring the drums down to the shop to have them cut while I swap out the shoe parts. To my surprise, it all actually looks to me to still be OK, with a lot of pad left.
I posted a few pictures (the first time I have done that - yep I am so proud...my daughter helped me there - links below) that I would like you to please look at and either confirm that I do not need new brakes or set me straight in whatever way I need it.
When I took off the drum, before I messed with the star adjuster, it seemed kind of loose to my uncalibrated feel. The drum was loose enough to rattle in my hand on the studs, it just would not come of due to the ridges in the drum. When I was adjusting the shoes to be able to get the drum off, I first moved it a bit in the wrong direction and it tightened up so the drum did not move. It seemed like there was a bit of adjusting done to get that far. It is all dry in there - no leaks.
So here is what I am thinking now. All I need to do is put it back together and adjust to wheel stoppage and then back off a bit so it moves with just a little resistance. Then try running it through inspection (which is free) again. Cool?
I am wondering at this point why they would need to be adjusted. Do they not self adjust when I back out of the garage every day? Is this something I need to do periodically? What is up with this?
Thanks folks for your insight. Tomes (also posted to other NGs)
The picture links: Entire assembly.