Dodge RAM TRUCK 1500 1995 Service Manual page 243

B R
DRUM BRAKES 5 - 71
(9) Fill and bleed brake system.
(10) Install wheel and tire assemblies and lower
vehicle.
DRUM BRAKE ADJUSTMENT
The rear drum brakes are equipped with a self-ad­
justing mechanism. Under normal circumstances, the
only time adjustment is required is when the shoes
are replaced, removed for access to other parts, or
when one or both drums are replaced.
Adjustment can be made with a standard brake
gauge. Adjustment is performed with the complete
brake assembly in place on the support plate. Proce­
dure is as follows:
A D J U S T M E N T P R O C E D U R E (WITH BRAKE
GAUGE)
(1) Be sure parking brakes are fully released.
(2) Raise rear of vehicle and remove wheels and
brake drums.
(3) Verify that left and right automatic adjuster le­
vers and cables are properly connected.
(4) Insert brake gauge in drum. Expand gauge un­
til gauge inner legs contact drum braking surface.
Then lock gauge in position (Fig. 16).
Fig. 16 Setting Gauge To Brake Drum Diameter
(5) Reverse gauge and install it on brakeshoes
(Fig. 17). Position gauge legs at shoe centers as
shown. If gauge does not fit (too loose/too tight), ad­
just shoes.
(6) Pull shoe adjuster screw star wheel away from
adjuster lever.
(7) Turn adjuster screw star wheel (by hand) to ex­
pand or retract brakeshoes. Continue adjustment un­
til gauge outside legs are light drag-fit on shoes (Fig.
17).
(8) Repeat adjustment at opposite brakeshoe as­
sembly.
(9) Install brake drums and wheels and lower ve­
hicle.
BRAKE SHOES
Fig. 17 Adjusting Brakeshoes To Gauge
(10) Make final adjustment as follows:
(a) Drive vehicle and make one forward stop fol­
lowed by one reverse stop.
(b) Repeat procedure 8-10 times to operate auto­
matic adjusters and equalize adjustment.
(c) Bring vehicle to complete standstill at
each stop. Incomplete, rolling stops will not
activate automatic adjusters.
BRAKE SUPPORT PLATE REMOVAL
(1) Remove wheel and tire assemblies.
(2) Remove brake drums
(3) Remove axle shaft and retainer. Refer to Group
3 for procedures.
(4) Remove primary brakeshoe for access to park­
ing brake cable.
(5) Compress parking brake cable retainer tabs
with a hose clamp (Fig. 18). Then push retainer and
cable through and out of support plate.
(6) Disconnect brake line at wheel cylinder.
(7) Remove wheel cylinder and secondary brake-
shoe from support plate.
(8) On models with full float rear axle, remove axle
shaft. Then remove hub and bearing assembly.
(9) Remove bolts attaching support plate to axle
and remove support plate.
BRAKE SUPPORT PLATE INSTALLATION
• (1) Apply thin bead of Mopar silicone sealer
around wheel cylinder mounting surface. Then trans­
fer wheel cylinder to new support plate.
(2) Apply thin bead of Mopar silicone sealer
around axle mounting surface of support plate.
(3) Install support plate on axle flange. Tighten at­
taching bolts to 47-68 N-m (35-50 ft. lbs.).
(4) Install parking brake cable in support plate.
(5) Install axle shaft and retainer.