Amazon: Brake adjusters - clockwise or anticlockwise?

[moggieman]

Just bought my first amazon and haven't got a workshop manual yet. The rear offside drum has seized and, looking at previous posts, I should slacken the handbrake cable then the adjuster. It's a '68 single system and I can't see how to slacken the handbrake cable, and wanted to check which way to turn the adjuster on the drum to release the shoes (looking from the back). The adjuster is very stiff.

Any advice please?

[Ron Kwas]

mm;

Anti-clockwise on adjusters to loosen shoes...beware adjusters freeze due to galvanic corrosion, so use limited force and judgement...you may very well have to remove drum tand do a preventative mainenance on things...see also: http://sw-em.com/service%20notes.htm#Braking%20System Scroll down to: Adjusters

Cheers

[moggieman]

Thanks Ron - great resource. There was a home-made puller in the boot when I bought the car, so I'll give that a shot rather than wreck the adjuster.

Am I right in thinking there's nothing to slacken off the handbrake cable before the drum is removed?

David

[moggieman]

The drum came off easily enough with the puller and the problem was revealed. One brake lining has become detatched and rotated round, wedging itself between the drum and the other shoe. Looks like the wheel cylinder is oozing a little bit too.

David

[Alf ista]

Ooohhh, that looks nasty......... Cant imagine the brakes were very good with the lining gone on holidays like that.

[moggieman]

All fixed - new cylinders and shoes plus a new adjuster on one side - it was absolutely solid as Ron predicted. All lubed up with copper ease so hopefully will be easier to undo next time.

[Derek UK]

A small smear of grease on all of the rubbing points, shoes, handbrake mechanism and anti rattle springs always a good idea. Used to be Castrol PH white grease but now called CL. Copaslip would probably also do the trick as long as its oily base doesn't get on the linings.