adjusting bolt on brakes on D17

[Ron Donze]

There is an adjusting bolt with a lock nut that that screws into the axle housing that is used to push up against the brake shoe when adjusting the brakes. What is the purpose of this bolt and how should it be set once you are finishing adjusting the brakes?
 

[Bob Bancroft]

Disclaimer; I am pulling this from memory.
When properly assembled the return spring on one shoe is heavier than on the other. With the setscrew in question backed off, as you work the brake, you should be able to see that one shoe does all the moving. Turn the setcrew in just enough to equalize movement of the shoes. The setscrew is limiting the travel of the shoe with the heavier spring, and therefore affecting the travel of that whole interconnected mechanism. So that neither shoe is wearing when you don't want it to be.
 

[Jim se il]

That bolt is 1st step in adjusting brakes jack up that wheel and turn in adjusting bolt until slight drag then back off half turn then adjust toggle nut under cover on top of housing. with out adjusting the bolt in the back you will wear out front lining and not the rear if you adjust bolt last brakes can get hot on the road if driving a distance
 

[VicS]

Jim is right adjust back bolt first, then one under cover, do it the same way turn wheel, and tighten to you can feel drag then back off 1/2 turn. I am working on mine now and I just read the book.