Rear brake adjustment

[MinorMatt]

Hi Guys

Just a quicky...

My vans a '95 single wheel 6 stud. The pedal travek is erratic (ie. when the brake hasn't been used for a while the pedal travel can be quite startling - but fine after a pump) so how do you adjust the brakes on these? I havent got under and looked yet despite having the problem since I bought the van 2 years ago!!

[alanwh]

I had same symptom a few years ago, thought it needed adjustment or a leaky wheel cylinder/ contaminated shoes or sommat... turned out to be master cylinder seals, they failed quite catastrophically after a while and it wasn't funny

[AndyG]

How does the handbrake "feel"
Is the pedal alright when the handbrake is on
Any play at all on the front wheel bearings

[MinorMatt]

Its only when the brakes havent been used for 10mins + with the handbrake off. Handbrake is fine but is high up so could really use adjustment

From my experience of un adjusted drums (my main car used to have 4 of em and the other one still does) its just like un adjusted drums.

Is it a square peg that needs doing up?

[Frag]

Matt,rear brakes are automatic adjusters,two quadrants with teeth on like a ratchet set-up.

if your getting travel & high handbrake could be shoes have worn past the point where adjusters can take it up.

Check rear shoes for wear,inspection holes at front & rear of backplate.(rear shoes are thin,fronts thick)
There is a larger round bung which when removed you will see adjusters.
You can release adjusters for easier drum removal & to see if they are siezed.
If you release them,you will then hear them clicking when you press brake as they adjust back up.

Check front wheel bearings for play though as Andy says,if there is play discs "push" pads back in as discs "cockle".....