87 burb 3/4 drum rear brakes

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Italianwagon

Italianwagon

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2020
Posts
135
Reaction score
137
Location
Washington
First Name
Steve
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
V20 Suburban
Engine Size
350
Hey

seen a bunch of posts about adjusting the drums. Just redid them and what’s the best way to adjust them?
 
Jethro224

Jethro224

Full Access Member
Joined
May 11, 2020
Posts
107
Reaction score
112
Location
Illinois
First Name
Jim
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Only one way.
Jack it up, neutral, adjuster spoon or screwdriver thru the little window in the backing plate to turn the adjuster wheel.
Spin the tire while you're adjusting until you feel a slight drag then pump the brakes and check it again.
 
Vbb199

Vbb199

B-rate Hillbilly Customs
Joined
Jan 12, 2018
Posts
8,875
Reaction score
14,900
Location
Salisbury NC
First Name
Vince
Truck Year
89, 79
Truck Model
89 Suburban R1500, 79 C10
Engine Size
350, 502
You can do what he just said, and get it close, then go in a open field or parking lot, go in reverse and stomp the brakes (in reverse) until you start to feel them drag.

That method I just stated takes a long long long time if you don't have them adjusted closely, so get it close to start
 
Blue Ox

Blue Ox

Turning Diesel Fuel Into Fun
Joined
Mar 27, 2018
Posts
4,870
Reaction score
10,763
Location
LI-NY
First Name
Derek
Truck Year
MCMLXXXV
Truck Model
K20HD
Engine Size
6.2L
If you're going to use the self-adjusters you have to repeat forward brake application, reverse brake application. Hitting them in reverse only works once.

I believe the manual says to tighten the adjuster until the wheel can't be turned by hand, then back off until the wheel turns without drag.

My method, although not "approved" is to adjust by play. Use a screwdriver to move the adjuster back and forth. You want between 1/16" and 1/8" of movement.Try for closer to 1/16". Don't pry too hard, you want free movement, not forced movement. No need to jack the vehicle up this way.
 
Jethro224

Jethro224

Full Access Member
Joined
May 11, 2020
Posts
107
Reaction score
112
Location
Illinois
First Name
Jim
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
The self adjusters are only there to kinda sorta keep them adjusted during normal driving after they've been adjusted manually.
They don't necessarily adjust evenly and the brakes probably didn't need exactly the same adjustment when you hung the shoes. And the self adjusters don't know or care how loose or tight they are, they just kick em a tooth or so whenever you stop in reverse....maybe...
 
WebMonkey

WebMonkey

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2020
Posts
684
Reaction score
1,393
Location
Missouri Ozarks
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
my k20 self adjusters work with the parking brake.
(each time i set the parking brake, the self adjusters will advance IF there is any advance waiting to be sprung)

they do not advance on a brake while reversing.

i would definitely jack up the tire.
advance the adjuster with a screwdriver, then test spin the wheel.

rinse and repeat till a revolution is all you get from a spin.

good luck
 
Blue Ox

Blue Ox

Turning Diesel Fuel Into Fun
Joined
Mar 27, 2018
Posts
4,870
Reaction score
10,763
Location
LI-NY
First Name
Derek
Truck Year
MCMLXXXV
Truck Model
K20HD
Engine Size
6.2L
WebMonkey said:
my k20 self adjusters work with the parking brake.
(each time i set the parking brake, the self adjusters will advance IF there is any advance waiting to be sprung)

they do not advance on a brake while reversing.

i would definitely jack up the tire.
advance the adjuster with a screwdriver, then test spin the wheel.

rinse and repeat till a revolution is all you get from a spin.

good luck
Click to expand...

How is yours different that it works that way?
 
WebMonkey

WebMonkey

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2020
Posts
684
Reaction score
1,393
Location
Missouri Ozarks
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Blue Ox said:
How is yours different that it works that way?
Click to expand...
i guess the 13" drums have different hardware?

the parking brake lever in the drum assembly mechanically effects the adjuster assembly.
 
Blue Ox

Blue Ox

Turning Diesel Fuel Into Fun
Joined
Mar 27, 2018
Posts
4,870
Reaction score
10,763
Location
LI-NY
First Name
Derek
Truck Year
MCMLXXXV
Truck Model
K20HD
Engine Size
6.2L
AFAIK they all work the same way. It's the rotation of the shoe assembly in reverse when it has excessive clearance that moves the star wheel.

If you have a picture of yours I'd be interested to see it.
 
WebMonkey

WebMonkey

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2020
Posts
684
Reaction score
1,393
Location
Missouri Ozarks
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
these are in the 'webmonkey's k20' thread'
the parking brake cable effects the self adjuster.
i watched the lever/levers/shoes when a 'helper' depressed the parking brake pedal.


I am certainly NOT a mechanic, so i could be wrong.

newer disc/drum setups used the parking brake.
drum only setups used the reverse it mostly since no parking brake attachment to the front drums.

imports loved the parking brake adjust method.

i don't know, don't mind me.

:)

i have owned/operated both types with varying degrees of satisfaction.
;)

You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach
 
Craig Nedrow

Craig Nedrow

NADAR UNDER THE RADAR
Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2018
Posts
830
Reaction score
1,495
Location
Washington State
First Name
Craig
Truck Year
1973 (have two), 1985
Truck Model
K10, K20, C20
Engine Size
350, 454, 6.2 Detroit
Just did my rears on the 14ff, adj close to drums, slight drag, when you put the drums on.
 
Vbb199

Vbb199

B-rate Hillbilly Customs
Joined
Jan 12, 2018
Posts
8,875
Reaction score
14,900
Location
Salisbury NC
First Name
Vince
Truck Year
89, 79
Truck Model
89 Suburban R1500, 79 C10
Engine Size
350, 502
WebMonkey said:
these are in the 'webmonkey's k20' thread'
the parking brake cable effects the self adjuster.
i watched the lever/levers/shoes when a 'helper' depressed the parking brake pedal.


I am certainly NOT a mechanic, so i could be wrong.

newer disc/drum setups used the parking brake.
drum only setups used the reverse it mostly since no parking brake attachment to the front drums.

imports loved the parking brake adjust method.

i don't know, don't mind me.

:)

i have owned/operated both types with varying degrees of satisfaction.
;)

You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach
Click to expand...


I noticed you're using Pittsburg 3 ton Jack's.

Do you still have legs? LOL
 
Italianwagon

Italianwagon

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2020
Posts
135
Reaction score
137
Location
Washington
First Name
Steve
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
V20 Suburban
Engine Size
350
Sweet. Thanks got them all adjusted and working great! Time for the front brakes lol
 
WebMonkey

WebMonkey

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2020
Posts
684
Reaction score
1,393
Location
Missouri Ozarks
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Vbb199 said:
I noticed you're using Pittsburg 3 ton Jack's.

Do you still have legs? LOL
Click to expand...

!!

those are the 'replacements'.
i didn't have any to begin with though.
i checked the number and they weren't listed in the NEW recall but yeah, i'll be watchin' those.

:)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
drum brakes
Replies
3
Views
688
Scott91370
Scott91370
Tcoon6218
Weird level action contraption on rear brakes
Replies
1
Views
380
skysurfer
skysurfer
LPGbody
Rear brakes lock up, fronts don't seem to work
Replies
4
Views
442
Drauka99
D
Blue79
Brake drum replacement question
Replies
5
Views
814
Bextreme04
Bextreme04
W
Automatic slack adjuster lever question
Replies
6
Views
422
JBswth
J

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
42,054
Posts
908,060
Members
33,537
Latest member
Toby 406
Top