Drum Adjuster Tool for holes in backing plate?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

yoda-g3

yoda-g3

SILVER Star
10 Year 15 Year 20 Year
Joined
Jun 17, 2004
Threads
160
Messages
909
Location
Spokane, WA
Hi All,

I'm slowly building my part list to do all 4 discs this summer but in the mean time I want to try and reduce the double pump and pulling my good ol' drums are giving me. I get how I'm supposed to do it, but the only real way I see to adjust the cylinders out is to go through the hassle of drum / wheel install / removal after each adjustment. I know there are access holes on the backing plate. Do you guys just use a flat bladed screwdriver to pry in there, or is there a handy little tool I can pick up at Sears on the way home that will make my life easier? I can't believe that the only way to do this is to take each wheel off 4-5 time per corner...

Thanks!
 
i always used a screwdriver....worked fine...there is a tool (Brake Spoon)....looks like a bent screwdiver :)

i never took my drums off to adjust...just jack it up ....and do a few turns...if you are consistant...they should be about the same amout of turns for each wheel, each time you do it.

i hated it still....went to 4wheel disk...the #1 best mod i did to make it a dd
 
see link:
DriveWerks.com - 7pc Brake Tool Set

spoons then selves are like $5
AP-7004.webp
 
S2005 Snap On brake adjuster for Toyota...google it.

I am not aware of a 'sears' equivalent.

I have not ever found a small adjuster in the auto parts store that fits the earlier 40 series drum brake backing plate/adjusters.......especially by the steering arms up front.


It is an odd duck.


The one that Marv sells is very weak steel and bends easy.


:beer:
 
Last edited:
Lack of adjustment is the reason why many people think drum brakes suck, but it only takes a few minutes to adjust them (if the adjusters are not frozen due to corrosion).

Just jack up one tire at a time as previously mentioned. Note that there are two adjusters per wheel for some of the brakes. You adjust them one at a time, by tightening the adjuster until you cannot turn the wheel by hand. This centers the shoe in the drum and provides a uniform starting point. Then you loosen the adjuster 3-4 clicks, or until you can turn the wheel one revolution in a single pull. The brake shoes will drag a little and you will hear this noise, but it is normal.

If you don't tighten it until the wheel doesn't turn first, they won't be properly adjusted.
 
yoda-g3 said:
Hi All,

I'm slowly building my part list to do all 4 discs this summer but in the mean time I want to try and reduce the double pump and pulling my good ol' drums are giving me. I get how I'm supposed to do it, but the only real way I see to adjust the cylinders out is to go through the hassle of drum / wheel install / removal after each adjustment. I know there are access holes on the backing plate. Do you guys just use a flat bladed screwdriver to pry in there, or is there a handy little tool I can pick up at Sears on the way home that will make my life easier? I can't believe that the only way to do this is to take each wheel off 4-5 time per corner...

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Howdy! Yup, there is an appropriate tool for this. Any parts store should have them. Do NOT get the large size for domestic rigs. It will NOT fit the the hole. Get the smaller sized dog legged shapped adjusting tool. John
 
I got mine from SOR, years ago. Works perfect, one of my favorite tools.
 
I adjust mine with a stubby flathead screwdriver. It just barely fits past the steering arms, but once you do it it's simple. Do it a couple times and it'll be no hardship at all; once I learned how to get them properly adjusted I abandoned my plans of going to disks; I have an '82 with drums all around (non USA).

Note that if you have a later rear axle with the self adjusting brakes the adjuster only spins one direction (tightening the brakes). If you adjust too far and need to back it off, you can to poke another screw driver into the hole and depress the locking mechanism on the sprocket.
 
Thanks guys. I have to stop by Sears anyways on the way home today. If they don't have it I'll give the screwdriver a try.
 
yoda-g3 said:
Thanks guys. I have to stop by Sears anyways on the way home today. If they don't have it I'll give the screwdriver a try.
Click to expand...
Howdy! My Sears did not have the narrow brake spoon. They did not even have an empty space for it if they were sold out. YRMV. Good luck. You might want to try a Checker or Napa store. John
 
Made my own adjuster tool out of a 10mm spanner, grinded it and bent with a hammer, works perfect and will cost zero. ;)
 
X2 on the sor spoon. I used a screwdriver for 20 years. Yes it works, but the sor tool has all the right moves with 2 different ends.
 
The one on top is the SOR tool, which I found works best after some grinding. The bottom, smaller tool is the actual Toyota SST, which is PN 09704-30010 (or an upgrade, I'm not sure), and I have to say it works much better than either the SOR tool or a screwdriver blade!
IMG_0856 (Small).webp
 
The one I bought from sor last month is identical to the bottom one. Nothing like the top one. They may have changed sources
 
I always used a flat-bladed stubby screwdriver, but that Toyota SST looks like a winner. Biggest problem I've had with drums is living in a wet part of the world means mud and water in the drums. This means a brake adjustment usually starts with a dissassembly of each corner to free up one or both adjusters (usually the one facing down).
 
The SST adjuster is tops. I also have a small flat blade screwdriver that
I bent at about a 70 degree angle which worked till I got a new SST after
losing my old one due to a loan out. ;)
I like the SST so much I've considered having a T shirt made with a pic
of one on the pocket. Kinda a Toyota version of the Nike swoop. :grinpimp:
 
I bought mine years ago from SOR also, and it's also MY favorite tool! I've lost it several times in the past, and can't even sleep when that happens. Won't even TRY to adjust them without my beloved tool!
 
Get the ordinary cheapo brake tool and hit it with a grinder to fit. Takes all of 2 minutes.

I like the skin on my knuckles and the screwdriver method is a sure way to see knucklebone.

If I remember correctly, on all cylinders, top or bottom, front or back, the drum tightens when the HANDLE of the tool moves AWAY from the axle.

HTH
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom