REAR DRUM BRAKE ADJUSTMENT

[c.d.iesel]

check rear brake shoe adjustment at every oil/filter change

use BMW tool # 34 2 000 , or buy local ceneric

off-set wrench

[Guest Anonymous]

With this kind of information, you are not CD (SOLD iT!)! You must really be CHUCK NORRIS!

Thanks for the post(s) BTW!

[kris]

What guide or manual are these helpful tips from?

[Guest Anonymous]

Blue Notebooks, not sure but also may be from scanned CD version.

[TobyB]

The best way I found to consistently get the shoes as tight as possible

without 'em scuffing, heating and binding was to

take my 13mm and 14mm box- end wrenches and

use 2 lug nuts to snug the drum back against the hub.

(this is, of course, with the wheel off)

This keeps the drum from walking off the hub, and lets

me get the shoes nice and tight without them binding when the wheel goes back on.

Also, the wrenches make nice handles for turning the drum to

see if i can hear the shoes just scuffing the drum.

love,

t

[c.d.iesel]

FROM BMW factory Blue Binder Repair Manual

and the glove-box ~ BMW Owner's handbook

the above is from the E21 320i repair manual - same rear brakes

and procedure

[kris]

FROM BMW factory Blue Binder Repair Manual

and the glove-box ~ BMW Owner's handbook

the above is from the E21 320i repair manual - same rear brakes

and procedure

Would it make sense to get the Bentley Manual for the 320 to work on my 02? The Haynes is just not detailed enough for a NOOB like me.

[c.d.iesel]

yes sir ~ a 320i manual will do nicely .

motor, trans, diff, brakes same flavor

[gorms70]

Guys I believe I have followed all the steps to properly adjust the rear brakes and I still run into a tightness on the left drake drum that I can not cure yet.

As the new owner of this car I am doing my first brake job on an '02. I have done many brake jobs before and complete replacement of the entire brake systems on a couple of cars in the past. But I'll admit this is my first brake job on an '02.

The previous owner must have dropped the car off to have the brakes done as no consciousness driver would have left the brakes as I found them. Mine is a fairly stock 1970 1600 with the 200mm rear brakes. I have replaced the wheel cylinders, drums, and shoes.

To adjust the passenger side I adjusted the front and rear concentric adjusting bolts to the inner most position. Oh and BTW I made sure there was no tension on the hand brake cable before I started this. I put the drum on and adjusted the bolts as CD and others have clearly explained (Thanks guys!). Presto, in a few turns I think I have properly adjusted one side. The wheel spins but is just at the point where the adjuster will bind it up, 1/8th turn.

Now to the driver's side. Same plan now that I have a method that works. I can get the shoes so I can just pop on the brake drum, but once on it will not turn freely. I find that the front shoe will not go in as far as the cam will allow. I have bleed the excess air and fluid out of the wheel cylinder and ponded the shoes a bit with a rubber mallet and still no go.

What am I missing? Are they always so tight when new?

[jgerock]

How old are the flexible hoses?

[gorms70]

How old are the flexible hoses?

They don't look bad and there is no record from the PO when they were installed. I think I am ok here. I know the real concern is the inside condition, Good input.

Remember the wheel cylinder's have been replaced and I have not really even applied much pressure with the brake pedal. And with the bleeder I have let all the possible pressure out of that wheel.

[John_in_VA]

Would it make sense to get the Bentley Manual for the 320 to work on my 02?

I'm not aware of an E21 Bentley manual.

[rms_sandiego]

It sounds like the shoe is not sitting against the eccentric correctly. I would take both shoes/springs out, clean things off down to the backing plate and then reinstall. It sounds like whoever last put the shoes/springs in didn't quite get them centered/aligned.

[gorms70]

It sounds like the shoe is not sitting against the eccentric correctly. I would take both shoes/springs out, clean things off down to the backing plate and then reinstall. It sounds like whoever last put the shoes/springs in didn't quite get them centered/aligned.

I guess that's my next step. I am the one who put it all back together after cleaning and replacing most of the parts. Maybe I did something wrong??

[M3M3]

there is no bently for an e21, but there is a haynes. no matter, the brakes are identical to a 2002 in operation, any 2002 manual will show what you need. wait...cd already posted the pictures from the factory manual in this thread.....

post pictures of what you have. otherwise we are just guessing.