Are the rear brakes on my escort self adjusting and if so how do they adjust?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Dec 16, 2006 at 1:04 PM
1997 Ford Escort Rear Brake Adjust
LJF
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- 14 POSTS
[quote:c901712d89="ljf"]Are the rear brakes on my escort self adjusting and if so how do they adjust?
Thanks.[/quote:c901712d89]
Hey ljf,
Yes your rear brakes are self adjusting, though you can adjust them manually but you have to remove the drum to do this. It's a different adjuster setup than say your run of the mill truck. It's a small notched "cam" that rotates on the adjuster assy. They also can get frozen from rust or corrosion and may need attention if this is the case. (some pb baster and a little heat does the trick!) Hope this helps!
Chris
Thanks.[/quote:c901712d89]
Hey ljf,
Yes your rear brakes are self adjusting, though you can adjust them manually but you have to remove the drum to do this. It's a different adjuster setup than say your run of the mill truck. It's a small notched "cam" that rotates on the adjuster assy. They also can get frozen from rust or corrosion and may need attention if this is the case. (some pb baster and a little heat does the trick!) Hope this helps!
Chris
Dec 16, 2006 at 7:33 PM
Chris:
How do the brakes self adjust?
And do I need a special tool to manually adjuust them?
Thanks for the reply.
LJF
How do the brakes self adjust?
And do I need a special tool to manually adjuust them?
Thanks for the reply.
LJF
Dec 18, 2006 at 12:30 AM
I don't really know of any brakes that aren't self adjusting. That would not be a safe condition to not have self adjusting brakes. Disc brakes are expanded with the hydralic piston pushing the pad against the rotor. The piston does not retract but when the pedal is released the pressure on the pad relaxes but it rides along touching the rotor and so is always tightening.
The drum brakes use hydraulics to push two directions and expand shoes using a lever action to push against the drum. When enough space is present from wear there is another simple mechanism that rachets an expanding, threaded spreader which keeps the springs from pulling the shoes too far away from the drums.
If the rachet assembly sticks and fails to move the brakes do not adjust. They can be adjusted manually with nothing more than a screwdriver however this is not advisable. Fix the problem so the car self adjusts properly. You want the car to stop uniformly on the pavement.
The drum brakes use hydraulics to push two directions and expand shoes using a lever action to push against the drum. When enough space is present from wear there is another simple mechanism that rachets an expanding, threaded spreader which keeps the springs from pulling the shoes too far away from the drums.
If the rachet assembly sticks and fails to move the brakes do not adjust. They can be adjusted manually with nothing more than a screwdriver however this is not advisable. Fix the problem so the car self adjusts properly. You want the car to stop uniformly on the pavement.
Dec 18, 2006 at 1:19 AM
Suggested Repair
The rear drum brakes are self-adjusting through a notched cam and ratchet-style threaded spreader. If they do not adjust, remove the drum and free a rusted or corroded adjuster with penetrating oil and heat. Manual adjustment is possible but not preferred; restore proper self-adjustment so the car stops evenly.
Conversation Summary
The owner asked whether the rear brakes on a 1997 Ford Escort self-adjust and how that works. Experts confirmed they are self-adjusting via a cam/ratchet mechanism that can freeze from rust or corrosion. They advised freeing the adjuster so it works properly rather than relying on manual screwdriver adjustment.