How to Adjust Rear Brakes in 1991 Chevys

The drum brakes on the rear of a 1991 Chevrolet are designed for stability more than stopping power. These keep the front of the vehicle from diving towards the ground when you brake. Over time, the brake shoes wear out and need adjusting. 1991 Chevys have a semi-automatic adjuster on the brake shoes, so you will need some mechanical work to adjust them properly. The process is fairly easy, and proper adjustment will help your front brakes last longer.

Instructions

1

Place wheel chocks in front of the front wheels and raise the rear of the vehicle, using the floor jack. Place the jack stands beneath a secure part of the vehicle and lower the jack until the vehicle is sitting on the jack stands.

2

Place the vehicle in neutral, if it has rear-wheel drive, and spin the rear wheels. If they spin without resistance, you need to adjust them.

3

Crawl beneath the rear of the vehicle and remove the rubber plug on the drum brake backing plate, the metal plate behind the rear brakes. The rear drum brakes are located directly behind the rear wheels.

4

Insert a flat-head screwdriver in the hole that you removed the rubber plug from, until it reaches the star-shaped adjustment wheel.

5

Spin the rear wheel as you pry the adjustment wheel downward. Notice a clicking sound with each turn of the wheel. Continue spinning the rear wheel and turning the adjuster wheel until light resistance is felt on the rear wheel. Pry the adjuster wheel 12 clicks in the opposite direction. Place the rubber plug back into the drum backing plate.

6

Repeat steps 3 through 5 for the wheel on the other side of the Chevy.

7

Raise the vehicle from the jack stands, using the floor jack. Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle to the ground. Remove the wheel chocks from the front wheels.

8

Complete the rear adjustment by putting the vehicle in reverse. Allow the vehicle to start moving backward and then stop the vehicle. Repeat this step three or four times to allow the semi-automatic adjusters to adjust the brakes the rest of the way.