How to adjust rear drums on a positraction car

[Keith R.]

I am adjusting the brakes on my 1960 positraction car. My question is how do you adjust the rear drums? The ST-12 says to turn the star wheel while rotating the wheel until you get a light uniform drag then back off the star wheel. This works just fine on the front wheels but I can barely turn the rear tire by hand as turning the wheel also rotates the opposite tire and moves the driveshaft through the rear axle. How in the world are you supposed to adjust the rear drums when the wheels don't turn freely?

[Terry D.]

Re: How to adjust rear drums on a positraction car

Keith
You could try disconnecting the drive shaft and see if wheel is easier to turn. I'm guessing that the weather is warm were you are at. Make sure emergency brake is releasing all the way. Have you pulled the drums and checked the shoes and drums for high spots? Wheel should not be that difficult to turn with a posi. Having another person turn the wheel is another option. Do both wheels have the same resistance?

[Keith B.]

Re: How to adjust rear drums on a positraction car

Can’t you back up very quickly and slam the brakes?

[Mike M.]

Re: How to adjust rear drums on a positraction car

c-1's don't have self-adjusters like the 63 and 64 corvettes.mike

[Keith B.]

Re: How to adjust rear drums on a positraction car

Thanks Mike. I did not know that and that is how I was taught to adjust drums.

[Mike M.]

Re: How to adjust rear drums on a positraction car

keith: your method works great on c-2's with drum brakes if bubba hasn't removed the self adjusting features. regards,mike

[Keith R.]

Re: How to adjust rear drums on a positraction car

Thanks Dave. That's certainly a viable method. I was just thinking of expanding the shoes until the star wheel doesn't easily turn further then backing off 12 clicks.

[Keith R.]

Re: How to adjust rear drums on a positraction car

Thanks Terry. This is a new build with all new drums, brake cylinders, shoes, hardware etc. and has not been driven yet. The parking brake has been backed off until it is loose and it is still difficult to turn the wheels by hand. Yes, both wheels have the same resistance. I was also thinking that I could disconnect the drive shaft to allow it to turn more easily.

[Keith R.]

Re: How to adjust rear drums on a positraction car

Found the problem. See my 7/7/18 reply to Thomas Hoyer's post regarding the same issue.