I bought new drums for my olds 70 442 and there is no provision for getting to the adjuster star. There is no knock out piece on the back of the drums. The parts place where I got them said in there ad that there was no knock hole to adjust brakes . How am I supposed to adjust brakes ? Do you back up and apply brakes to automatically adjust brakes ? If that is the case , then how are the drums removed when you have to change brakes again ?

 

There is a rubber plug in the backing plate. You don't go through the drum to reach the star wheel.

 

If you don't have a tool or access, I have had very good luck by adjusting the star wheel so that the drums slide on just barely rubbing the shoes. Get all 4 close and drive it, the self adjusters will do the rest.

 

If I remember correctly, you actually ride the brakes while backing up to adjust them.

 

Riding the brakes won't help . The adjuster wheel goes one click each time you apply the brakes in reverse , until they are properly adjusted .

 

Looks like I was misinformed back in 1963. Thanks for clearing that up.

 

^^^This. It's the action of applying the brakes that moves the star wheel.

 

thanks guys for help