How tight to adjust rear brakes?

[John Larkin]

I just put my parking brake cable back in and it seems to be working fine. However, I can engage it all the way to the floor and still make the car move forward in drive with less than 0 boost. Should I adjust the rear brakes tighter? As they are now I can barely turn them by hand (in neutral, both rear tires off ground, driveshaft still bolted in). I can also barely wiggle the drum off without loosening the shoes. Perhaps this explains my low pedal as well. System has been bled more times than I care to remember.

 

[GN ERGY]

The rear shoes should be adjusted so that you can just slide the drum back on, and move freely by hand. If you tighten them up more than that you have a chance of glazing the drum and your shoes won't hold for $hit. Thats the way I've always done them with good results. Besides everytime you back up and hit the brakes they should self adjust out by themselves, to where they fit best.
Tarey D.

 

[6pack]

I adjust mine to where you can just feel them grab when turning them by hand, not to tight and not to loose. And most of the times the self adjusters are crap!

 

[TurboEd]

is the a nut on the cable tkat you can,adjust the parking brake
with?

 

[6pack]

Originally posted by TurboEd
is the a nut on the cable tkat you can,adjust the parking brake
with?

Yep, should be. There is a bracket that holds the cable. The bracket is located towards the rear of the car just ahead of the rear. The adjusting nut is just ahead of this bracket. I think!!

 

[Red Regal T]

Originally posted by 6pack
Yep, should be. There is a bracket that holds the cable. The bracket is located towards the rear of the car just ahead of the rear. The adjusting nut is just ahead of this bracket. I think!!

"YOU THINK" CORRECTLY. JUST TIGHTEN THAT NUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE IN FRONT OF THE REAR TIRE AND YOUR EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL WILL ENGAGE MUCH HIGHER AND WILL HELP YOU HOLD BOOST. I CAN HOLD AT LEAST 5 POUNDS AND PROBABLY MORE.

 

[John Larkin]

Ok sounds good! Hopefully this will give a residual effect to the brake pedal itself. I have the nut threaded in about 1.5" so far, I'll fiddle with it some more tomorrow. Thanks guys..