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Brake drum adjustment

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Old 03-12-2020, 05:20 PM
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Default Brake drum adjustment

I need some help! I just installed new drum brakes and hardware and have new drums ready to install. My question is, which way does the star adjustment wheel suppose to turn to tighten the shoes. I have watched BleepinJeep video and several others which all show or say that the star wheel tightens the shoes in a clockwise rotation. Mine tighten counter clockwise????? I confirmed the part numbers and I have them correct according to part number (passenger/driver side). I have a 1989 xj, is it correct for my year???
Old 03-12-2020, 05:35 PM
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I think one side will move clockwise and the opposite anti-clockwise. Looking at the adjusters they will turn "upwards" to adjust up. As long as they are in the correct way round so that the self adjustment can do it's thing, you should be good.
Old 03-12-2020, 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by boxburn
I think one side will move clockwise and the opposite anti-clockwise. Looking at the adjusters they will turn "upwards" to adjust up. As long as they are in the correct way round so that the self adjustment can do it's thing, you should be good.
I just checked them, they both move counterclockwise and it pushes the brakes out (tightening).
Old 03-12-2020, 05:44 PM
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Just to be sure, is your set-up the same as this one?

https://wranglertjforum.com/attachme...-x2-jpg.48645/
Old 03-12-2020, 05:55 PM
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I'm heading off for the night so I'll just say, I'm 99% certain that one should go one way and the other, the other way.

A very simple drawing but looking from behind, the automatic adjusters pull upwards on the adjusters teeth.


Old 03-12-2020, 05:59 PM
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Originally Posted by boxburn
I'm heading off for the night so I'll just say, I'm 99% certain that one should go one way and the other, the other way.

A very simple drawing but looking from behind, the automatic adjusters pull upwards on the adjusters teeth.

Mine don’t look like that. See pics




Old 03-12-2020, 06:04 PM
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It must have changed a little in the later years. It's a similar set-up but not quite the same. I can't quite figure out how those adjusters actually work by looking at them. Hopefully someone else with the same style can chime in.
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Old 03-12-2020, 06:06 PM
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Originally Posted by boxburn
It must have changed a little in the later years. It's a similar set-up but not quite the same. I can't quite figure out how those adjusters actually work by looking at them. Hopefully someone else with the same style can chime in.
Thank you for your input, greatly appreciated.
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Old 03-12-2020, 06:18 PM
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The little removable nib goes to the back, both sides. When you spin the star, it should turn without moving horizontally off the spring loaded stop that leans against them.
Old 03-12-2020, 06:22 PM
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Originally Posted by 318SixPack
The little removable nib goes to the back, both sides. When you spin the star, it should turn without moving horizontally off the spring loaded stop that leans against them.
both are pointing to the back.
Old 03-12-2020, 06:26 PM
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Side of the star closest to you (looking at the wheel) goes UP to tighten.
Old 03-12-2020, 06:28 PM
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Originally Posted by 89build66
both are pointing to the back.
Then as long as they are threaded the opposite and on the correct sides, they should be right. The set I just installed has an R inside the adjuster where you install the end nib. Also, the bags they came had "RR" and "RL" in the middle of the part number.
Old 03-12-2020, 06:32 PM
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Originally Posted by jordan96xj
Side of the star closest to you (looking at the wheel) goes UP to tighten.
If I’m understanding you correctly, looking directly at them I have to rotate the star wheel downward to tighten.
Old 03-12-2020, 06:36 PM
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Originally Posted by 89build66
If I’m understanding you correctly, looking directly at them I have to rotate the star wheel downward to tighten.
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Old 03-12-2020, 06:40 PM
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Originally Posted by cruiser54
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I guess I will try to switch them around to see. Maybe the part numbers are wrong.


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