There are a lot of parts that go into your vehicle's brake system. You might already be familiar with the brake drums, brake rotors, brake pads, and brake fluid. Today, we're looking at one of the less talked about parts that play a role in your ability to slow your vehicle to a stop: the mechanical drum brake adjuster.
The mechanical drum brake adjuster is a device used with drum brakes that maintains the correct distance between the brake lining and the drum. As the brake lining wears down over time, the gap increases, which can lead to increased stopping distances and decreased braking efficiency. The mechanical brake adjuster compensates for this wear by automatically adjusting the position of the brake shoes. This helps maintain consistent brake performance and reduces the need for manual adjustments.
Not all vehicles have mechanical brake adjusters. This is because not all vehicles have drum brakes. Some modern cars have disc brakes on all four wheels. Other modern cars have drum brakes on the rear wheels (as may trucks, vans, and SUVs). If your vehicle uses drum brakes, there will be one mechanical brake adjuster per drum brake (so a car with two rear drum brakes and two front disc brakes will have two adjusters for the rear brakes).
Here are signs that something is off with a drum brake adjuster:
Seizure or Sticking: Bake adjusters that seize or stick due to corrosion, dirt, or lack of lubrication can't properly adjust the brakes, leading to excessive brake shoe wear and reduced braking efficiency.
Incorrect Adjustment: If a brake adjuster isn't set up correctly, it can over-adjust or under-adjust the brakes. Over-adjustment causes the brakes to drag, leading to overheating and premature wear. Under-adjustment results in a longer stopping distance and reduced brake effectiveness.
Breakage: In some cases, components of the brake adjuster can break due to material fatigue or excessive force. This can lead to a complete failure of the adjusting mechanism.
Contamination: Exposure to contaminants, such as brake fluid, grease, or road salt, can damage an adjuster or impede its movement.
Improper Installation: If a brake adjuster isn't installed correctly, it won't function as intended. This could be due to incorrect positioning, incorrect part selection, or failure to properly secure the adjuster.
Ultimately, brake adjusters are small but important parts in brake systems that include drum brakes. Should your vehicle need brake service in EHT, the team at Deltona Discount Tires is here to assist you. We provide complete brake service, including brake inspections that help extend the life of the drum brake adjusters and other brake components.
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