Dartin for Divorce

Anyways, now install the drums and practice snugging the drums up, when you get close to locking them up go one click at a time till it locks then back off approx. 6 single clicks. What you want to do is get the same feel on both sides when locking them up. Very important you want both sides the same. You can adjust each side 1 to 2 off from each other to get a even feel. ALSO ALWAYS ROTATE EACH SIDE AS IF YOU ARE DRIVING FORWARD!! AND KEEP SPINING THE DRUM FORWARD AS YOU WORK. They should be fully seated all the way on if they flip flop in the beginning you can install 2 or 3 lug nuts with some washers to keep them on. I really should have started with this because not a lot of people know this, so FIRST loosen the parking brake cable about a inch or more this will make sure the shoes are properly seated so you can properly adjusted the shoes. You will never get the proper braking without all these steps. When done adjusting the shoes now you can adjust the parking brake, tighten it up till you lock up the brakes on about 4 clicks. Now check and make sure the brakes are not dragging if they are loosen a little more. When you get all done it will stop like a new vehicle. Test once or twice in the driveway as you'll put yourself into the windshield. Gots to keep the wife and kiddies safe. Ride on brother.

So much work... I'm supposed to write a paper tonight and tomorrow to have it turned in before 12... I'd rather do the brakes, but I smashed the **** out of my thumb today. I'll make sure I follow all of these steps when doing the rears.

As i dont see much for drum brakes any more ,i make sure top of shoes are touching anchor pin,the spreader bar isnt tight between shoes and install drum.
Figure out how to hold adjuster lever as mentioned, even a wire around it to pull it away from starwheel. Adjust until shoes are tight, then back off until drum releases. A slight rub is fine, shoes will center themselves.

Thanks! You and LO23 sound experienced at doing drum brakes... you are more than welcome to come and do mine and ill just supervise...and drink a beer...

i just take the burrs off with a fine tooth file. straight across the face at 90' and then lightly around the outside to take the hard edge off. everything is nice and smooth then and the insert can roll the edge properly

This!!! Its exactly what I did, creating that outer chamfer works well. I used a large file to file everything down and went back over it all with a nail file then 1k grit sandpaper at the end before attaching it all up.