Eagle said:
No they won't. Self-adjusters only self-tighten, they don't self-loosen if some moron cranks the star wheel too tight manually.
Correct, I was thinking when they are properly installed and everything is working properly, they will self adjust. The adjusters are unlikely to loosen themselves up. I know, either say what I mean or mean what I say.:flipoff:
I keep tools off of the star wheel. the teeth are fine and not all that hard. The teeth aren't designed to fit a brake spoon and a screwdriver fits poorly. Other than a stuck adjuster, the teeth being rounded on the star wheel adjuster and the adjuster lever being rusted/corroded are the main reason the self adjusters, don't!
A typical adjustment for brakes, old style manual adjuster, is to adjust until the shoes drag just a little and back off two or three clicks, to allow for expansion and avoid hanging.
If you finger adjust the star wheel (push the lever out of the way) until the shoes just catch the drum ridge when sliding on the drum (and twisting a little), it's usually close enough to adjust itself. A quick check is if the parking brake catches at all. You *can* adjust the star wheel with a screw driver (with the drums on) until the shoes just touch and back off a click or three also, but like I said, the screwdriver burrs the teeth on the star wheeel eventually.
If you apply a little parking brake, the self adjusting process works better and faster, when you back up and brake a few , four or five times.
Being carefull, whenever adjusting or working on the brakes is wise. They may not catch well, the first time you drive the XJ. Just like new front brake pads, have the habit of not grabbing the first few applications or until the top coating wears off.
Overtightening the rears can also help you to swap ends on a rainy street. If the rears grab or lock, before/or stronger than the fronts, the rear can swing out, causing loss of control.