what kind of brake tool do I need?

[mistermcfrug]

I want to adjust the brake shoes on my 2006 Safari for the first time. Can anyone recommend the best type brake adjuster lever to use? Or will a screwdriver work just as well? I saw 2-3 different types of levers at Pep Boys and had no reason to pick any of them.

[HowieE]

The standard tool with a 45 degree spoon on one end and a straight spppon on the other should work just fine.

If you have self adjusting brakes you should not have to adjust them. Now that said if you do have to adjust them after replacement or for some othe reason you will have to slip a small screwdriver in to push the adjuster off the star wheel.

In some systems you will have to slip a small screwdriver in to lift the spring off the star wheel. You should be able to see what you are up against with a flashlight and looking in through the adjuster hole.

[Splitrock]

My brake adjuster has two different end angles. I used the milder of the two on my Airstream. I set up the brakes on my tandem flatbed trailer this week and used the sharper angled end on that. I like having one of about everything in my tool box.

[Ganaraska]

If the adjuster is like a drum brake car you can turn the wheel to tighten the brakes easily but if you want to back them off you have to push the self adjuster away.

I like to adjust them slowly while turning the wheel and stop as soon as I hear a slight drag.

[mistermcfrug]

I appreciate the time the above posters spent helping me!

[AirsDream]

I think that the simple answer is that you can use a screwdriver for the adjusting, but depending upon space, angles, etc., the brake adjuster tool, being wider than most screwdrivers and having several possible angles (dpending upon which way it's deployed) will save some aggravation and perhaps a few skinned knuckles.

[68 TWind]

Auto Zone shows the brake adjuster tool on their web site for $4.99. Worth the money! AirsDream is correct and you can do it with a screwdriver, but it is MUCH easier with the tool.

[Kevin245]

Ditto on the adjustment tool. It will lay around in your toolbox 99.9% of the time but when you need it...Your task will be much easier with it as opposed to a screwdriver. I keep mine with another seldom used tool...A distributor wrench.

Kevin

[vswingfield]

They also make a good mini pry bar.

[AirsDream]

Originally Posted by Kevin245

I keep mine with another seldom used tool...A distributor wrench.

Oh yeah, a distributor wrench. That and a timing light and a basin wrench and a valve spring compressor and cleco pliers are those sorts of tools you hardly ever need, but when you need 'em, you really need 'em bad. You really can (usually) use a screwdriver on drum brakes, but there's not much substitute for some other things.

[Wingeezer]

If you haven't done it before then one thing I would suggest is to pull one brake drum off and they you wil see exactly what you are dealing with and what tool will work best for you.


A screwdriver may work fine - but a generic brake adjusting tool should only be a couple of bucks.

Brian