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TR4/4A Draggin Shoes TR4A - Stuck adjuster?

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kindofblue

kindofblue

Jedi Warrior
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My LR shoes are draggin, and causing a heat problem. The adjuster won't adjust, it it completely seized. I think this could be the culprit, the car has recent shoes and wheel cylinders. However, the right side adjuster was in much further than the left. Still, it took 15 minutes to work the Left drum off. The right one came right off. I think I will start here and order a new one from Moss anyway.
 
Mine were completely seized after the car came out of the barn. I removed them, applied PB Blaster a number of times over a day and with some wiggling and a couple of curses they came free. Cleaned them up, checked the action and they are now back on the car working well.
 
They are pretty stout parts so PBlaster should enable you to loosen them. What will help is to use a proper wrench, ideally the purpose-made tool for adjusting brakes. It is nice and square for a good grip with no chance of rounding the corners and just the right length for that 90 degree-swing you need to adjust them on notch at a time.
 
Heat (propane torch) will also help to loosen them, since the body is aluminum but the screw & wedges are steel.

Personally, although I have one of Joe Alexander's excellent brake wrenches, I prefer to use an 8-point socket on a 1/4" ratchet. Still gives a good grip, but easier to swing, IMO.

FWIW, the brake wrench I got from Moss, years ago now, didn't fit until I modified it.
 
I let it sit in oil all night long and it is still seized. I am wondering if the heat from the last drive melted the screw to the housing? I bought one off eBay for $24. I can't be messing with this issue with the VTR so close.
 
I've literally "saved" dozens of Girling brake adjusters as Randall suggested, with propane torch heat to loosen everything up. Then disassemble, clean and reassemble (I like to use white lithium grease thoroughly but sparingly, of course). The only time I find this isn't worth doing is when someone has already expended too much effort turning the "square peg" with the wrong tool and/or with too much force, damaging it. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif Otherwise, I find it a very satisfying repair!
 
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