Chrysler RAM TRUCK 2500 1994 Service Manual page 227

5 - 68 DRUM BRAKES
•
Adjustment can be made with a standard brake
gauge. Adjustment is performed with the complete
brake assembly i n place on the support plate. Proce­
dure is as follows:
ADJUSTMENT P R O C E D U R E (WITH B R A K E
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 i n drum. Expand gauge un­
t i l gauge inner legs contact drum braking surface.
Then lock gauge i n position (Fig. 16).
Fig. 16 Setting Gauge To Brake Drum Diameter
(5) Reverse gauge and install i t on brakeshoes
(Fig. 17). Position gauge legs at shoe centers as
shown. I f 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
t i l gauge outside legs are light drag-fit on shoes (Fig.
(8) Repeat adjustment at opposite brakeshoe as­
sembly.
(9) Install brake drums and wheels and lower ve­
hicle.
(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 SHOES
Fig. 17 Adjusting Brakeshoes To Gauge
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.
Fig. 18 Compressing Parking Brake Cable Retainer
Tabs
(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.