Classic Alfa Forums

I'm putting my Bendix rear drums from a late sprint back together,after they have been standing for some time.
I've got new wheel cylinders and shoes with fitting kit containing all the springs etc.

But not sure how to check the self adjusting mechanism.
It has a wheel with bevel teeth,and a small arm that may be stainless...not sure.
Is the threaded rod spring loaded somehow to self adjust....and should it be stripped down and greased?

Thanks
Dave

When i opened up the other drum,
the small arm (pawl?) was missing.
so the self adjusting was not regulated

I did wonder about removing the self adjuster altogether.....has anyone else ever done this?

Thanks
Dave

I did it on mine a few years ago. Strategically drilled a hole in the backplate to allow me to adjust them manually as both of mine were broken. It worked ok but meant I had to keep an eye on the balance between them and they were awkward to adjust as the teeth on the adjuster were very fine and angles the wrong way

You can get new adjusters from ebay, picked up a pair a couple of months ago for €35 I think.

I was thinking about removing the complete self adjuster mechanism,and fitting new shoes and cylinders,with new springs/pins.
The wear rate on the shoes is quite low I think,and I wont be doing high mileage.
So,should be ok?

Wondered if anyone else had done the same.

Dave

alfadave wrote:I was thinking about removing the complete self adjuster mechanism,and fitting new shoes and cylinders,with new springs/pins.
The wear rate on the shoes is quite low I think,and I wont be doing high mileage.
So,should be ok?

Wondered if anyone else had done the same.

Dave

What are you putting in place of the adjusters?

I wouldn't remove them, you need the shoes to be properly adjusted to minimise pedal travel as well as balance plus the hand-brake will get longer in travel

Just fit a new kit. Not worth doing anything but.

I take your advice.....but am thinking of modifying the adjusters to manual rather than self adjustment.

Dave

Leave it self adjusting as adjusting leaver holds them adjusted with out it they slowly unadjust

The small pawl and gear seems a weak arrangement.
John at Justsuds tells me he gets asked for the pawls,as they drop off and go missing.

So,I was thinking of removing the pawl and gearwheel,and simply replacing them with a LH thread nut ....or pair of locknuts
And adjusting the shoes manually.

To be fair the paw only drops off when people take them to bits and don't know how to adjust them other wise they are fairly reliable and used on loads of different makes of cars with bendix brakes

The thread on the Bendix self adjuster is a bit odd
9x 1.25mm
One side LH and the other RH
My local engineers supplier didn't have the nuts, but found them on line ok.
Cut the nuts carefully in half to make thin locknuts.
Discarded the gearwheel,pawl, and angle bracket,and just used the two main components of the adjuster with the locking nuts,and the two springs.

Fitted new shoes and cylinders, and adjusted the shoes inward, until the drums just went on.

Much simpler and more reliable than the self adjuster I think....and a lot cheaper!

Dave

I actually bought six each of the LH and RH nuts
And only used one of each which I cut in two

So have 5 of each left,which I am unlikely to ever need

If anyone fancies doing this,and wants a pair of the nuts, PM me your address,and I will post them to you FOC.

Dave

Ps on the condition you buy me a pint next time I see you in the pub!