Testing and Adjusting Your Vehicle's Rear Drum Brakes

PDF download Download Article
Learn how to test self-adjusting drum brakes and manually tighten them as needed with simple tools
PDF download Download Article

Do your vehicle’s brakes sound or feel funny? Do you have to press the pedal to the floor to stop? If so, your rear-wheel drum brakes may be to blame. Most vehicles today have front disc brakes along with rear drum brakes that are supposed to—but sometimes don’t—automatically adjust as the brake shoes wear down. Fortunately, it’s a manageable DIY project to manually adjust the drum brakes, and we’re here to help you DIY it!

Things You Should Know

  • See if the self-adjuster is working by driving and stopping in reverse and engaging the parking brake several times.
  • Start the manual adjustment process by safely jacking up the rear axle of the vehicle and removing the rear tires.
  • Tighten the drum brakes by rotating the internal star wheels with a brake spoon , then put everything back and do a test drive.

Get Car Support Solve Any Problem

wH
Hi there! Do you have a question about how to diagnose or fix a problem with your car? I’ve read the manual so you don’t have to. Select your make, model, and year, then ask away!
*
*
1

Test the self-adjuster.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/24\/Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/24\/Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Rear drum brakes, especially on modern vehicles, are designed to automatically adjust under normal driving conditions. That said, things like wear-and-tear, rust, and dirt accumulation can interfere with this. To see if you can get your brakes to auto adjust, try one of the following: [1]
    • Put the vehicle in reverse, drive backwards, and stop abruptly several times.
    • Set and release the parking brake several times.
    • If the brakes feel more even and responsive when you press down on the pedal, the self adjuster is working and you don’t need to manually adjust the brakes.
    2. Advertisement
2

Remove the rear tires.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/44\/Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/44\/Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Technically speaking, you’re removing the rear wheels and not just the tires, but this is the same process as changing a tire (times two): [2]
    • Secure the vehicle. Park on a flat, level, solid surface and put the vehicle in park (automatic) or first gear (manual). Place chocks against the front of the front tires. Don’t engage the parking brake.
    • Loosen the rear lug nuts. Grab a lug wrench (tire iron) and twist each lug nut counterclockwise until it just breaks free and begins to spin.
    • Lift up the rear of the vehicle. Set the jack at one of the designated jack points and slowly lift one tire. Use a jack stand to hold up that side of the vehicle, then remove the jack. Jack up the other tire and insert a jack stand.
    • Remove the rear tires. Loosen the lug nuts the rest of the way and set them aside in a spot where you won’t lose them. Pull off the tire (again, actually the entire wheel), then repeat the process with the other rear tire.
3

Locate the drum’s rubber plug.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7e\/Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7e\/Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Now that the wheel drum is exposed on the axle, run your fingers along the back side of it and feel for a small oval-shaped piece of rubber. Once you find it, rotate the drum forward (if needed) so that the rubber plug is close to the ground—this makes it easier to access. [3]
    • If you can’t locate the plug by feel, carefully slide your upper body under the vehicle and find it visually. As a novice, you’ll have to be in this position to adjust the drum brake anyway.
    2. Advertisement
4

Identify the star wheel behind the plug.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b4\/Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b4\/Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Peel out the plug and set it aside in a spot where you won’t lose it. Use a flashlight to look into the opening and identify the small star wheel inside—it’s a small gear, that is, a small disc with lots of teeth around the perimeter. [4]
    • It’s best to reinstall the existing rubber plug , but if you do happen to lose it, you can buy a replacement!
5

Slot a brake spoon into the star wheel.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5e\/Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5e\/Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    What’s a brake spoon , you ask? It looks like a flat-head screwdriver with the handle removed and the shaft bent in multiple spots. The angles caused by the bends make the spoon ideal for slipping into the brake plug opening—once it’s in there, slip the blade of at the end of the spoon between two of the teeth on the star wheel. [5]
    • If needed, use a flashlight to help you slot the blade of the spoon in place. Before long you’ll be able to slot the blade by feel.
    • Yes, you can just use a flat-head screwdriver instead. But it’ll be a little trickier to get the screwdriver’s straight shaft in the right position to slot into the star wheel.
    2. Advertisement
6

Rotate the star wheel downward.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Press the blade of the spoon downward to spin the star wheel that direction—you’ll hear a click each time one of the star wheel’s teeth slips past the catch lever. It’s far easier to further tighten the drum brake than it is to loosen it, so only tighten it slightly to begin with. [6]
    • Usually, but not always, turning the star wheel downward will tighten it. If, however, the star wheel doesn’t want to spin that way (because the catch lever is stopping it), try turning it upward. Whichever direction spins more easily is the way that tightens the drum brake.
7

Spin the drum forward by hand.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7a\/Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7a\/Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Pull out the brake spoon and spin the entire drum like you’re driving forward. You should feel steady and even, but slight, resistance from the brake shoes on the inside of the drum—the drum shouldn’t catch or get stuck. [7]
    • If the drum spins freely without resistance, reinsert the spoon, move the star wheel 2-3 more clicks, and check how the drum spins again.
    • If the drum spins with steady, even, slight resistance, move on to adjusting the drum brake on the other rear wheel.
    • If the drum catches or sticks, move the star wheel in the other direction to loosen the brake (see the next step).
    2. Advertisement
8

Loosen the brake, if needed.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/78\/Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/78\/Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-8.jpg\/v4-728px-Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Stick a flat head screwdriver into the rubber plug opening and press back on the catch lever (the thing that “clicks” against the moving gears) on the far side of the star wheel. Then, stick the spoon into the opening and slot it into the star wheel. Spin the wheel in the opposite direction as before the equivalent of 1-2 clicks (you won’t hear the clicking sound now). Test how the drum spins and make more adjustments as needed. [8]
    • There’s no denying it—this is a tricky maneuver, which is why it’s best not to over-tighten the brake in the first place.
9

Adjust the other rear drum equally.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/77\/Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/77\/Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-9.jpg\/v4-728px-Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    For the best braking performance, aim to tighten both rear drum brakes equally. You can do this in part by counting how many clicks you tighten each star wheel, but also carefully compare how each drum feels when you spin it forward. When they both have the same level of resistance, you’re nearly done with the job. [9]
    2. Advertisement
10

Put everything back in place.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/57\/Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/57\/Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-10.jpg\/v4-728px-Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    [10]
    • Press the rubber plug securely into place.
    • Lift the wheel into place and slide it onto the mounting bolts.
    • Tighten the lug nuts most of the way, but not completely tight.
    • Repeat the process with the other wheel.
    • Set up the jack on one side, lift the vehicle just enough to remove the jack stand, then lower that side of the vehicle with the jack.
    • Remove the jack stand on the other side in the same manner.
    • Hand-tighten the lug nuts completely with the lug wrench.
    • Remove the chocks from in front of the front wheels.
11

Take the vehicle for a test drive.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fd\/Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fd\/Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-11.jpg\/v4-728px-Adjust-Drum-Brakes-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    While the front disc brakes provide most of the stopping power, having loose rear drum brakes is definitely noticeable. Now, with the drums properly adjusted, you should only have to press the brake pedal about halfway—instead of maybe all the way to the floor—to engage the brakes fully and evenly. [11]
    • If the brakes feel loose, “squishy,” rough, or uneven, or if you hear unusual scraping or squealing sounds, either fine-tune the brakes again or contact a mechanic to look over the brakes for you. It may also be time to remove the brake drums and replace the brake shoes .
    2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • As an added safety measure, once you remove the tires, lay one of them on its side and slide it under the center rear of the vehicle’s frame. (Stack both tires if there’s enough room.) That way, if the vehicle somehow falls off the jack stands, the tires may prevent the vehicle from coming down on you.
        Thanks
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Change a Brake Caliper
      How to Diagnose and Fix Problems with Your Electric Parking Brakes
      How to
      Replace a Master Cylinder
      Bad Brake Booster: Symptoms, Tests, and Troubleshooting
      How to
      Bleed a Master Cylinder
      Air in Your Brake Lines: Why They Need to Be Bled & 4 Common Methods
      How to
      Refill Brake Fluid
      How to
      Replace Drum Brakes
      An Expert-Approved Guide to Replacing Brake Rotors Like a Pro
      How to Fix a Parking Brake Light That Won’t Turn Off
      How to
      Check Brake Pads
      How to
      Remove Brake Drums
      Brakes Locking Up While Driving? Causes & Fixes
      How to
      Change The Brake Pads in Your Car
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about car maintenance, check out our in-depth interview with Jason Shackelford .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.totalcardiagnostics.com/learn/how-to-adjust-brakes-on-a-car/
      2. ↑ https://www.howacarworks.com/brakes/adjusting-the-brakes
      3. ↑ https://partshawk.com/blog/learn-how-to-adjust-your-drum-brakes.html
      4. ↑ https://www.howacarworks.com/brakes/adjusting-the-brakes
      5. ↑ https://partshawk.com/blog/learn-how-to-adjust-your-drum-brakes.html
      6. ↑ https://www.howacarworks.com/brakes/adjusting-the-brakes
      7. ↑ https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/diy/a35407888/here-are-some-tips-and-tricks-to-tackling-drum-brakes/
      8. ↑ https://www.myknowledgeguy.com/adjustdrumbrakes/
      9. ↑ https://partshawk.com/blog/learn-how-to-adjust-your-drum-brakes.html
      1. ↑ https://www.howacarworks.com/brakes/adjusting-the-brakes
      2. ↑ https://www.howacarworks.com/brakes/adjusting-the-brakes

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 38,484 times.
      If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission .

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement