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General TR Rear Drum Brake Adjustment

glemon

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I have noticed over the years with all my old British sports cars with rear drum brakes, when you go to adjust the rears you get to a point where there is no contact or friction with the drum except for in a small part of the rotation, as if the drum is not centered correctly, have noticed this on Sprites, MGBs, TR4A, TR250, and Austin Healey 100. An yes I have tried to center and align the shoes by both pushing on the brake and tightening up the drum adjustment.

Still does it, I have always adjusted to a point where I get a little friction at the one point and they have worked pretty well, but have always wondered if that is the way they are supposed to be, they just weren't made that well, or what?
 
Not supposed to be that way, but many are. For some reason the friction surface is not running true to the axle; usually because the drum has warped or is not perfectly centered.

Won't really hurt anything to set them that way, but I prefer to have mine turn freely so there is no energy/fuel/power wasted in dragging brakes and the brakes don't get hot in between uses.
 
Yes, I would prefer to not have the added friction, plus would like to be able to adjust them a little tighter for better pedal feel.
 
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