Adjusting handbrake through the backing plate slots

[Mickl]

I have just replaced shoes and cylinders and had to back off the handbrake star adjusting wheel fully to get the hubs back on. 

Bled the brakes etc but now the handbrake is not coming on and the brake foot pedal is not very effective as the rear cylinders have to push the shoes along way to grip the hub. 

I find it impossible to adjust the handbrake up by accessing the small adjusting slot in the backing plate....there is just no room to get any tool in.

help needed please! Mickl

[AndBir]

2 hours ago, Mickl said:

Bled the brakes etc but now the handbrake is not coming on

From memory you will need to pull and release the handbrake multiple times to "readjust" the rear brake shoe setting.

Edit: 

Edited June 8, 2022 by AndBir
added text from FSM

[gilltech]

Sure you've got it assembled correctly? Correct slave cylinder? Lubed the adjuster threads? Cable set in the right place?

I just use a thin screwdriver to adjust the brake shoes to just off the face of the drum. Then as AndBir says, pull the handbrake lever on and off multiple times and it should fine tune the adjustment if that's even needed.

If too much drag on the shoes then back off the adjuster a couple of clicks.

[Mickl]

Thanks for the rapid responses. I should have mentioned that it is a77 model with the self adjusting mechanism.

however, I took a drum off and applied the handbrake 50 times or more and the self adjust lever does not activate the star wheel. That is why I was trying to get at the adjuster from the back of the backing plate......and it seems impossible to crank it from here. 

I did turn it about one rotation to push the shoes apart a bit but any more and I can't get the drum back on. I am thinking I might drive it a bit and wear the shoes in and maybe I will be able to remove the drum a bit easier and crank it another turn or two?.

i am shying away from taking the shoes off and trying to get the self adjuster working as it was such a mongrel to get them on before!