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Mon May 07, 2012 2:32 pm

I know I've read a ratwell post in the past that spoke of this right hand rule for figuring out which way to tighten your star adjusters on the drums.

I can't seem to find it anywhere in the forums. Anyone know what this rule is. putting the rear drums back together and would like to save some time instead of turning until I realize its the wrong way.

Any help apreciated.

thanks,

josh

Mon May 07, 2012 2:45 pm

Nevermind I figured it out. Using right hand and laying under bus make a fist. Point your thumb out as if hitchhiking. Whichever side star nut you arer doing, place your hand so that the thumb points in towards the axle. Whichever way your fingers are curled is the way you will turn the star to tighen the shoes.

Glad I figured that one out.

Mon May 07, 2012 2:51 pm

TOURJEE wrote: Nevermind I figured it out. Using right hand and laying under bus make a fist. Point your thumb out as if hitchhiking. Whichever side star nut you arer doing, place your hand so that the thumb points in towards the axle. Whichever way your fingers are curled is the way you will turn the star to tighen the shoes.

Glad I figured that one out.

Most confusing explanation ever! :shock:

Mon May 07, 2012 3:07 pm

Think of each star as the head of a screw that goes into the box inbetween the two adjusters. Turning that screw clockwise, as if you were screwing it into the box, also tightens the brake shoes, and turning it counter-clockwise, as if you were unscrewing it, also loosens the shoes.

Mon May 07, 2012 3:10 pm

How about pry up on the one on your right and down on the one on your left to tighten? :wink:

Mon May 07, 2012 3:18 pm

Yeah but then you have to remember that right is up and left is down to tighten.

By thinking of the star as a screw, you already know right-tighty and lefty-loosey.

Mon May 07, 2012 3:26 pm

79SuperVert wrote: you already know right-tighty and lefty-loosey.
Suprisingly many don't, but most are capable of determining left and right and are fairly confident which way is up most days :P

I know what you're saying and it's a potato/potatoe kind of deal, same shit, different pile (or is that same pile, different shit?).

Mon May 07, 2012 3:27 pm

dabble wrote: TOURJEE wrote: Nevermind I figured it out. Using right hand and laying under bus make a fist. Point your thumb out as if hitchhiking. Whichever side star nut you arer doing, place your hand so that the thumb points in towards the axle. Whichever way your fingers are curled is the way you will turn the star to tighen the shoes.

Glad I figured that one out.

Most confusing explanation ever! :shock:

left hand and right hand rule are standard ways in physics to visualize magnetic fields and rotational forces, so to me it made sense easily enough..

Mon May 07, 2012 3:42 pm

Not specifically related to post topic but......since yer all here.....

I put the wheel back together only to find that I had forgot to install the distance piece in between the two shoes. :(

So I took it back apart and am having a really hard time getting it in there....I'm sure I'll figure it out but my question is this: Upon flailing with it rested a shoe on one side of the wheel cylinder and now it is leaking ever so slightly.

Did I just destroy the seal on my wheel cylinder? Can you replace just the boot? There is no visual tear in the boot.

Just when I think I am doing it right...... :x

Mon May 07, 2012 4:05 pm

Are you following your service manual?

Mon May 07, 2012 4:10 pm

TOURJEE wrote: Upon flailing with it rested a shoe on one side of the wheel cylinder and now it is leaking ever so slightly.
WTF does this even say?

Mon May 07, 2012 4:11 pm

10 4 . I've got the bentley......just not super familiar with this job and think I mighta destroyed the cylinder.

I guess I'm just gonna run it and see what happens.....I'm in the middle of moving right now and have to be on the road early thursday.

I'm sure I'll figure it out one way or another.

Mon May 07, 2012 4:12 pm

VDubTech wrote: TOURJEE wrote: Upon flailing with it rested a shoe on one side of the wheel cylinder and now it is leaking ever so slightly.
WTF does this even say?

sorry....should read that I rested the shoe on the wheel cylinder and it now has a bit of fluid leaking from it.

I am a retard.

Tue May 08, 2012 8:27 am

I think if you pull back on the boot and you see brake fluid it is time to replace the cylinder. If it's not a lot I guess you could clean it up and then every once in a while stick your finger in through the inspection hole and rub it on the inside of the drum and see if it comes out with brake fluid on it. But if you don't know how old that cylinder is then it is probably a good idea to replace it and its brother on the other wheel. Also keep an eye on your brake fluid level and on the back side of the drum to see if there are leaks.

Tue May 08, 2012 12:14 pm

I have a spare adjuster in my parts box. I hold that in my left hand and turn the adjuster on the vehicle with my right hand.

If the cylinder is leaking it can damage the brake lining. It might be time to replace both cylinders, the rubber lines, and flush the system.

Aloha
tp

Tue May 08, 2012 1:14 pm

TOURJEE wrote: VDubTech wrote: TOURJEE wrote: Upon flailing with it rested a shoe on one side of the wheel cylinder and now it is leaking ever so slightly.
WTF does this even say?

sorry....should read that I rested the shoe on the wheel cylinder and it now has a bit of fluid leaking from it.

I am a retard.

You popped one of the cups too far out of the cylinder, and if you forced it back in without it going in nice and straight it is probably damaged. You could pull it apart and check the condition of the cup or you could just buy a new cylinder and be done with it.

Tue May 08, 2012 4:10 pm

Wildthings wrote: TOURJEE wrote: VDubTech wrote: TOURJEE wrote: Upon flailing with it rested a shoe on one side of the wheel cylinder and now it is leaking ever so slightly.
WTF does this even say?

sorry....should read that I rested the shoe on the wheel cylinder and it now has a bit of fluid leaking from it.

I am a retard.

You popped one of the cups too far out of the cylinder, and if you forced it back in without it going in nice and straight it is probably damaged. You could pull it apart and check the condition of the cup or you could just buy a new cylinder and be done with it.

Buy the new cylinder now or buy it later and new shoes to replace the ones you soaked with brake fluid.

Wed May 09, 2012 12:54 am

TOURJEE wrote: Nevermind I figured it out. Using right hand and laying under bus make a fist. Point your thumb out as if hitchhiking. Whichever side star nut you arer doing, place your hand so that the thumb points in towards the axle. Whichever way your fingers are curled is the way you will turn the star to tighen the shoes.

Glad I figured that one out.

That was a great explanation. As said it's just like electromagnetism.