Tools to loosen the drum brakes via the star adjuster?

I made the mistake of overtightening the rear star adjuster on the right rear drum brake. Now it causes the truck to shake while driving on the highway since its dragging against the drum i assume.

I had no luck pulling off the drum, so I tried to use a couple of small screwdrivers to back off the rear brake adjustment star, but I can't get to the mechanism that keeps it from loosening. If I can't push that back, the adjustment star won't loosen the drum brake pads.

Any suggestions? I can't even physically see it to push it if I take a photo. (photo is upside down)

 

Usually you can overcome the starwheel and crank them back with a big screw driver.

 

@Tundra2 knows the trick taught by heather

 

I typically use a 90 degree pick to push the adjuster lever forward and use a flathead screwdriver to loosen the star wheel.

 

I did the same thing a long long time ago - took a piece of wood and a hammer and whacked the drum till it came free. Also make sure your E brake is off.

 

I like this idea. I've got a 90 degree pick I can use as well.

This will most likely be my backup approach.

 

I believe the FSM also says to use a similar tool. Personally, I had to use two screwdrivers, a phillips head to push the little lever in, then the flathead to turn the star wheel.

You have to push this forward from that hole.

 

Strange; I saw this in the FSM. Unfortunately it didn't work for me. I'm not sure why unless I was pushing on the spring.

 

It is really awkward to release and took me a LONG time to get it. Have you tried the bolt method on the front of the drum? There is a place a bolt threads in and helps push the drum off.

 

This is one of the better videos I have found online that has helped me in the past.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWmAbDBJYP0

 

What size bolt do I need for that? I saw it, but I was thinking it may drag the shoes off with the drum since it isn't corrosion that I'm trying to overcome.

 

M8x1.25

Most toyota 12mm head bolts are that size if you have some laying around.

 

It may very well, especially if there is a lip on the outside of the drum. If the shoes are indeed on too tight, it will only make it worse. Seen a few broken spring retainers happen like that.

 

Are you sure you're turning the star wheel the correct way? One side has left hand threads -- I could be wrong, but I think it's the right side.

 

Just found thus thread right before I left work. Not sure what's happening or where you are Jack, but here's a video I made when I was figuring it out fir myself.

Can't recall which way is which off hand. It's in the video though.

https://youtu.be/1fGZTmzlxWk

 

Yep, its the same way for both as I was able to tighten and loosen it with the drum off originally. Plus it's easy to tighten but not loosen through the hole in the backplate.

 

That's a great video. And a great tip at 5:00. (paraphrasing his comment) Over-tighten the adjustment so the shoes are centered in the drum and not just dragging in one spot.

I never thought of doing that.

 

It can't be the same for both. They're mirror images of each other, so the threads have to be left hand on one side and right hand on the other .

 

There are right and left side adjusters, threaded differently so that when you adjust, your clicking the same direction on both sides, which is upwards from the pumpkin side of the plate

 

Ahh. Got it.

 

Thanks. I couldn't find my pick tool so I only ended up going to home depot to buy a set yesterday. Will try before sundown if I get off early today, otherwise it'll be tomorrow morning.

 

Looks like the FSM picture was correct. Had to push back on the locking mechanism from underneath rather than over the star adjuster. Took some pics for reference.

 

I think I may have to get the rotors turned for the first time in almost 20 years though. I had to loosen the star adjuster quite a bit to get it past the lip of rust thats built up.

It also may be the cause of a minor vibration I still feel in the wheel on the highway that randomly goes in and out.

 

Having my stock drums turned eliminated the slight brake pedal pulsation I had after replacing my front pads, calipers and rotors. My brakes now work/feel better than they ever have since I've owned it.