How tight should drum brakes be adjusted on our classic oldsmobiles?

 

I loosen the adjustment until I can get the drum over the shoes. Then I tighten the adjustment through the backing plate until the shoes drag on the drum. Finally, I loosen the adjustment just enough so the shoes don't drag.

I've never checked the CSM procedure. Just the way Oldsguy taught me.

 

The self adjusters will tighten the shoes until they drag slightly. This minimizes pedal travel. I usually manually adjust until there is a light drag.

 

This is what I do.

 

I learned that from my high school auto shop teacher in 1975, so it's worked for me for just about half a century.
Cool teacher. He had a 1969 (?) Dart GTS.

 

I learned it from my dad, around the same time frame. We had just purchased my first car, a 67 Cutlass that my aunt previously owned, and we were going through all the safety items, wheel bearings, and a tune.

 

That 340 was a sweet little motor.

 

Guys, I think his car is a 57 Olds without self-adjusting brakes. Jesse gave some good advice. He had a good mentor. I think self-adjusting brakes started in 1963.

 

They still need to be adjusted to where they just barely rub. Relatively the same amount at all four corners.

 

Good point, I missed that. As with my 62, adjustment will be needed periodically. And as stated above, a slight drag is preferred.