Opel 1900 1973, Service Manual, Page: 286 / 625

D R U M B R A K E S
27
MAINTENANCE AND ADJUSTMENTS
BRAKE ADJUSTMENT
Preliminary Checks
1. Depress brake pedal firmly. If pedal travels to
within two inches of and has a hard feel,
brake shoes require adjustment or relining. However,
if pedal has a spongy feel, brake system needs bleed-
ing.
2. Remove one rear drum if lining is worn nearly to
rivets. Reline both rear brakes (drum brakes only).
3. Check fluid level in master cylinder reservoir and
add fluid if necessary.
4. Fully release parking brake lever and place trans-
mission in neutral.
5. Pull on both ends of rear brake cable a number of
times to make sure that cables operate rear brake
shoes freely and do not bind in conduits. Check for
free movement of cable in brake cable sheave and
check brake cable spring for tension. Replace a weak
or broken cable spring.
Pedal Height Adjustment
Brake pedal height can be adjusted by removing
the nut and lock tab from the brake pedal to
attaching bolt and then by turning the head of the
bolt and rotating the eccentric until there is approxi-
mately
of an inch play in the brake pedal. See
Figures and Replace lock tap and nut.
If one of the tabs on lock tap breaks replace lock tab.
Figure Brake Pedal Attaching Bolt and
Eccentric
Figure Brake Pedal Height Adjustment
If binding does occur, take pedal assembly apart and
clean. Check for broken parts. Lubricate and replace.
Adjustment at Wheels
At each rear wheel brake assembly there are two (2)
brake shoes, and
each
brake shoe has an individual
adjustment eccentric. Therefore, each shoe must be
adjusted separately by turning its adjustment
which is mounted on the brake backing plate.
Arrows on backing plate circumference show direc-
tion in which eccentrics should be turned to get
brake shoe-to-drum contact. See Figure X-51.
When adjusting front brake shoe brakes, turn
wheel forward. When adjusting rear brake shoe of
rear wheel brakes, turn wheel rearward. Adjust as
ws:
1. Raise car and support in a safe manner so that all
wheels clear ground. Prior to wheel brake adjust-
ment, check that all brake drums rotate freely.
2. Revolve drum in forward direction and turn front
brake shoe eccentric in direction of arrow until brake
shoe contacts brake drum. See Figure then
turn eccentric in opposite direction until brake drum
is
just
free to
turn.
Adjust rear brake shoe in the same
way but
revolve brake drum in backward direction.
3. Remove car jacking and support equipment, and
road test car for brake performance.
Disc brakes do not require adjustment.
Parking Brake Adjustment
Adjustment of parking brake cable is necessary
whenever the rear brake cables have been