I've replaced all of the hardware for the drum brakes on the rear of the car following the Haynes manual instructions.

I screwed the brake shoe adjusters all the way in when I put the new shoes on like the manual said and I drove the car in reverse applying the brakes to adjust them (not in the manual). But, the brake shoe adjusters keep falling out when the car is being driven. Are these automatically adjusting drum brakes or do I need to adjust them some how? There isn't an adjustment hole behind the wheel to do it with the drums back on.

 

You don't turn the adjusters all the way in and expect them to adjust themselves. You have to set the adjusters by hand. Backing up only readjusts the brakes as the shoes wear. Yes, there is usually a small slot or hole in the drum face to adjust the shoes.

 

Thanks NR. I don't remember seeing a hole or slot on the back side, but I'll look again tomorrow.

Do I adjust them until the shoes grab the drum and then back it off a little?

 

Yes, adjust it till the pads just slightly touch the drum. Basically till you hear a slight scraping sound while turning the drum by hand.

I believe the hole is on the drum face, not the backing plate. If there is no hole, adjust it by hand and slide the drum on. If it's too loose, slide the drum off and adjust more. If the drum doesn't slide on then back it off until it does.