How do I adjust the rear drum brakes on my 2003 Mazda Protege DX?

BBENSON2587

MEMBER
2003 MAZDA PROTEGE
2.0L
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
227,000 MILES

Hello! I have a Haynes repair manual for my car, but the book indicates there is an adjustment nut or screw under the rear seats for the rear brakes. There is no such screw or a place for it. I have found a few other inaccuracies in the book in regard to my car. I normally have no trouble with Haynes manuals, but 2003 was the last model year for my car, so I think there may have been some changes to it and Haynes assumes the other model years are identical, when they are not.

My normal mechanic works on GM's and he could not readily figure out how to adjust them. I feel they need adjusting since my owner's manual says the parking brake should click 5-7 times to engage it, but if I pull it to less than 10 on any incilne without the car in gear, it's going to move.

Thank you for your time and effort!

1 Reply

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

If all is working correctly the rear brakes are adjusted with the e-brake. Do you have rear drum or disc? If drum then while holding the button on the e-brake handle pump it up and down about 10 times. See the self adjust on drum brakes are at the bottom between the shoes and as you pump the e-brake it moves the shoes and that activates a cable that moves the adjuster lever up and down. Now if you have disc then it is only adjusted with the e-brake as it uses a screw drive in the center of the piston from the inside and as you use the e-brake it continually adjusts to proper spec providing all is working correctly.