We're changing the back breaks on our truck and...?

Question

We're changing the back breaks on our truck and the drums don't fit over the new breaks, any help would be appreciated. We can force them on with a mallet but then the wheels don't move.

Answer 1

You need to shorten the star wheel or self adjuster. It is the part usually on the bottom between the two shoes. It can also be at the top-center. There will be a lever that keeps it from moving in the direction you want to go just push it out of the way and turn the star wheel till it gets smaller. It shouldn't need much since the drums almost go on already. You don't want to go too far as this will cause a low pedal.

AMEN TO YOUR ADDITION although some of the questions here are pretty inane there is no need for meanness. If you still haven't found your problem check the parking brake strut some have a step in them for the lever it is easy to put them in wrong.

Answer 2

No you aren't. You are changing the back B R A K E S dimwit. You need to turn the star adjusters all the way in and make sure there is slack in the emergency brake cable. If it still doesn't go on you have assembled the shoes improperly on the backing plate. You banged it on with a mallet? What hicks!

Answer 3

If the star wheel is all the way in then it's possible you got the wrong shoes or the emergency brake cable is froze up not letting the shoes collapse far enough.

Answer 4

run the self adjuster in and that will bring the shoes in so the drum will go on.there is a self adjuster screw you adjust so the drum will go on.

Answer 5

may be over adjusted or wrong drum, or brake hardware incorrecly istalled