Adjusting C1 Drum Brakes

[Christopher R.]

I first adjusted my '62 brakes per the ST-12. That didn't work well, so now I'm adjusting them by trial. That is, I make an adjustment and then take the car out and brake hard a few times. Then readjust. So far, I have eliminated the pull the one side. Right now I'm working on the right rear locking up. I'll be back at that tomorrow. But what wheel(s) should lock first? In a perfect world, all 4 of them would lock at the same time. But if I have to live with one locking first, which one should it be?

[Jim L.]

Re: Adjusting C1 Drum Brakes

You always want the fronts to lock up first. If the rears lock up first, as counter intuitive as it may seem, you can lose directional control.

[Terry D.]

Re: Adjusting C1 Drum Brakes

I would want to k now why the St-12 procedure didn't work.

[Christopher R.]

Re: Adjusting C1 Drum Brakes

I would want to k now why the St-12 procedure didn't work.

A combination of a few factors, most of them involving operator (That'd be me - an inexpert mechanic.) error. I could never be certain what "light uniform drag" was and what "12 notches" of the star wheel was. I found the road test, slight adjustment, road test again method the easiest and most certain. I don't have a lift and my garage is tiny.

[Terry D.]

Re: Adjusting C1 Drum Brakes

Agree with Jim, as the fronts do most of the braking you would want them to lock up first