Scotty,
I recently replaced the rear drum brakes on my wife's 2003 Pontiac Vibe: new drums, pads and springs using aftermarket new parts. However, when I brake, just as I come to a stop there is a clicking noise. It sounds like the self-adjuster lever is clicking. This sounds like the driver side rear. When I take off the drum the pads are a bit loose and the drum comes off easily.I have double checked everything and it all looks as though everything is in the right place. What did I do wrong? I'm worried that the brakes aren't reliable for my girl! Thank you very much for all your help!
Elgreco
You probably put the star adjusting wheel in backwards. It is supposed to adjust the pads outward when you go in reverse and brake.
Not the arm. The star wheel adjusting screw at the bottom of the shoe assembly that is threaded together. If it's installed correctly, you can pull on the parking brake cable and watch the arm move the star wheel of the adjuster to push the pads farther apart.
Doc, so, I have to turn the whole arm end for end? The adjuster screws in only one way so I figure it needs to go end for end if I got it backwards.