30K on a set of front pads is not "terrible" only "not great".

 

@843de yea sometimes the brake pedal is firm sometimes mushy. If I pump the brakes a few times when coming up to a stop light the pedal comes back.

 

For a really long time now drum brakes have been set up to self adjust when you backup and apply the brakes.

Unfortunately the self adjusters get dirt and crud in them or simply rust enough that they don't always work as advertised.

Usually when I do a brake job on drum brakes I take the adjusters apart and use a lubricant like this stuff:

http://www.neverseezproducts.com/neverseez.htm

It keeps things loose enough that the self adjusting parts have a fair chance of actually working.

I also put a thin layer on the steel part of the hubs to keep the aluminum wheels from sticking to the iron of the hubs.

I know some folks really don't like that practice so you do what you want. It just happens to work very well for me.

Its simple enough to use a screw driver to manually adjust the drum brakes. I do have a special brake adjusting 'spoon' tool and I usually use it when I can find it.

The tool is cheap enough that almost anyone can buy one.

 

I completly understand. I was definitely going to pull the drums apart and clean them real good to. Its worth the time to me.

 

And make sure you check the wheel cylinders carefully, I don't like the sound of having to "pump up" the brakes, that can be a sign of brakes that are horribly out of adjustment or a leaking wheel cylinder.

Plus it can be a sign of air in the system, if you don't have ABS you could flush the brake fluid and bleed the brakes yourself(with a helper to pump the brakes), but if you have ABS, its best left to a brake shop. Sometimes getting air out of a system with ABS is a major hassle unless you have the proper tools and knowledge of how the system works.

 

It feels like they are way out of adjustment. Dont believe its air in the system. But I will check the cylinders for any leaks. Like I said I have 66000 miles on the brakes and never been adjusted. I have never had drums and since joining the forum I now know the self adjusters are basically non existant.

 

Let us know how you make out, and be sure to ask questions if you get in there and think "HELP!".

 

Will do. It may be a few days till I get to it. And I would like to say thank you to everyone on their help with this and my air intake. Everyone has been so helpful. Thanks

 

swerv0428- This is what the rear brakes look like with Drum off..

This is driver side view, adjuster is always to the rear on both sides..

As you will find, the backing plates should have rubber plugs, that you remove to adjust w/drums on..

But would be a Great time to pull one drum at a time, & get the brake dust out & inspect brake shoe lining, etc.

Don't use compressed air to clean..(Avoid breathing any Brake dust)..

You could use Brake Kleen, or even water in a spray bottle..

 

And here's a rear brake on my 75 year old Suburban Carryall, not much difference is there, I bet a mechanic from 1937 could handle HHR brakes....the engines and computers would seem like Flash Gordon stuff though.