How do the rear drums auto adjust?

[ChrisJ]

So for the longest time I would make sure I stopped using my brakes when backing up to keep the rear drums adjusted. Then I had read somewhere that the type of rear brake setup we have auto adjusts via the parking brake and not by stepping on them while rolling backwards.

Everything I saw regarding this setup made sense and even looked like it matched some pictures $ub$onic had posted.

I just read this in the owners manual and now don't know what to think.

How does the Sonic's rear drums adjust, by stepping on them while rolling backwards, or by using the parking brake?!

 

[SonicBoy24]

I've heard both stories, I have never heard of either one definitively working.

I would be curious to know though, my ebrake is looser than it used to be after constant use

 

[ChrisJ]

I've heard both stories, I have never heard of either one definitively working.

I would be curious to know though, my ebrake is looser than it used to be after constant use

Mine is the same as the day I bought the car as are the brakes.
Maybe I should go back to stopping in reverse firm a few times a week.

 

[ahtoxa]

My handbrake definitely has more travel than it did new, but not significantly so.

 

[mitdr774]

It has been my experience that most rear drum set ups in the last 20 years or so do not self adjust like they are supposed to. I have always found the best way to kinda keep them close was to just pull the drums from time to time and clean/adjust the brakes manually.

 

[ChrisJ]

It has been my experience that most rear drum set ups in the last 20 years or so do not self adjust like they are supposed to. I have always found the best way to kinda keep them close was to just pull the drums from time to time and clean/adjust the brakes manually.

Except that you cannot adjust drum brakes with the drums off, especially if the drum is at all worn. You would need to back the adjuster way off, pull the drum, clean everything, put it back, and readjust manually. Unless that's what you meant anyway. Chances are you wouldn't need to even pull the drum in most cases at all.

As I said, I'm at 50,000 and my brakes are like the day I bought it as is the parking brake.

I always use the parking brake, but for the first 40,000 or so I also stopped firm when backing up almost every day. I only stopped because I made the assumption the adjusting was done via the parking brake.

 

[HollywoodTurbo]

It looks like they adjust with the brake pedal in reverse, "firmly applying the brakes". And I would be more worried about causing damage by braking hard in reverse everyday rather than keeping the brakes adjusted that often.

 

[ChrisJ]

It looks like they adjust with the brake pedal in reverse, "firmly applying the brakes". And I would be more worried about causing damage by braking hard in reverse everyday rather than keeping the brakes adjusted that often.

Two things.

1: What are you basing this answer on? The owners manual or the design of the brakes?

2:Who said anything about stopping hard in reverse, and why do you feel this would cause damage? If stopping firmly in reverse going 5 MPH causes damage to the brakes then I wouldn't want the car.