Stuck brake adjuster

[UtMatt]

I got a flat on my '58 641 and since I had the wheel off I decided to check the brakes. The drum was loose but would not clear the shoes, so I turned the brake aduster a few turns. But the wrong way. Now the drum's tight and I can't get the adjuster to turn the other way. Any suggestions?

 

[UtMatt]

Are they self adjusting? Do I have to move a lever out of the way?

 

[Kurt-NEPA]

They are not self adjusting, so no lever to deal with. Sounds like you jammed it up nicely. You might try putting the tire back on and seeing if you can rotate it, even a little bit might break it loose. Failing that drive the tractor a bit work the brakes, again that might free things up.

Maybe someone else will have a better idea.

 

[Texas!]

Did you tighten it with a brake spoon or a screwdriver? I think you can get more leverage with a spoon. If you tightened it by hand surely you can get it loose again.

 

[ASEguy]

Since they are not self adjusting according to Kurt, there should be a spring to maintain starwheel position and since it did turn, it's not frozen up with rust. Use either a larger brake spoon or a the largest screwdriver which will fit into the slot. Use a light to see where to contact the starwheel. Gerard

 

[Robert Major]

Hi
Totally agree with what you say. Have come across this before. It works really well as long as somebody before hasn't reefed the living day lights out of it, and rounded the corners on the wheel. Then screwdriver has no leverage to turn back the other way.
Experience from fixing this stuff, says that's a whole load a hurt a customer doesn't want at $45 an hour shop rate.
Regards Robert

 

[UtMatt]

Thanks for the replies. The tractor is about a hundred miles from here, out in the boonies. All I had was a couple of screw drivers. I will take a spoon with me and try that. It turned loosely but just wouldn't back off, that's why I asked about self adjusting.
Matt