Rear Brake Squeal/Screech

So I recently adjusted the rear brakes because my pedal felt like it was dropping all the way and it was getting too close for comfort. Cleaned them before adjusting and the truck stops better but now it's got this somewhat loud screech/squeal as I slow to a complete stop. The Brake Shoes looked evenly worn and they seemed to still have plenty of life so I'm wondering if I need new drums? I'm not too car savvy so I'd figured I give it a try here. Thanks guys.

 

I would imagine you would have noticed worn shoes (thickness or rivets showing) or severe wear grooves on the drums, if the drum brakes were the issue. Dumb question but, any chance you contaminated the drums or shoes with anything (dirt, grease, or other foreign matter)? Still, can't see stuff causing squeals in drums. Are you sure the squeal is from the drums, not the front disks?

 

I don't think I contaminated them. I hit them with brake cleaner before re inserting the drums and adjusting them. The reason I assume it's the drums is because the noise didn't start until I adjusted them. As far as the drums they looked smooth and felt smooth. Not too sure. Should I check the front brakes?

 

Well where is the squeal coming from? Front or back? And is your brake fluid low?this is one indicator your pads are low

 

If the pedal was dropping before all this then look at the fronts.
Then if fronts ok back up a few times and apply the brakes for the rear self adjusters to work.
Jack the rear up and spin each side and listen for a dragging sound - if pulsing the drums could be out of round or pads distorted.
Backing plates on rears can cause noise if bent also. Search on.

 

I wanna say that you adjust the rear drums until they are locked then back off 15 clicks on the adjuster. Keep us posted.

-J

 

I would say it sounds like the rear. Brake fluid is fine level wise. I checked the front and the pads still have a lot of life left in them.

I'm going to give this a try thanks man

I'm afraid to go all the way and not be able to back them off through the tiny hole. Lol.

 

Here's a thought, if the adjuster adjustment doesn't resolve the squeek... and I'm assuming here the front is not issue as you've mentioned.

You might want to take off your drums off again, and see if you might have shifted anything out of position. If you had to manhandle the drums to get them off, sometimes the springs and internal stuff will pull outwards away from the shaft, and cause stuff to move out of correct position

Do a visual check to make sure everything is seated correctly. Also, there are generally a couple of grease points you should take care of. Pay special attention to the auto-adjusters (star wheel). Since you said the brakes were bottomed out, and you didn't spcifically say you if you greased the brakes while in there or adjusted them; a siezed adjuster might be your issue? Here's a short YouTube video on this topic:

Auto adjuster check & lube:
https://youtu.be/e4aCcsWY1Bk

...and if you feel ambitious, or have to disassembly completely:
https://youtu.be/Q-eOGCPmNmw

Do one side at a time, but have both drums off to compare as you go theough the process.

 

Thanks. I'll have to tackle this soon. Noise is getting irritating.

 

The hole is big enough for a normal sized flat blade. Should be good to go, but if you're feeling generous, pull the tire off (but you shouldn't have to). Additionally, pull the drum off again and give it a vigorous cleaning with some brake-cleaner, if you haven't done so already. Grease the shoe contact points with some appropriate copper based anti-seize and wire brush off any stuck brake dust/road grime. Should square everything up away for you. I know when I did my wife's Nissan, her right rear brake was configured incorrectly prior to me working on it, so that could be your problem too. @Jimmyh posted a good tech reference above that shows how everything should be configured just in case things are out of spec in your case. I'm not sure who did your brakes last but they could have messed something up. Keep us posted.

-J

 

So it ended up being the star adjuster wheel on the passenger side. I noticed the pedal had gone soft again checked both sides and the passenger sided had screwed it self back in. Replaced it and readjusted and the noise is pretty much gone. I'm assuming I gotta give it a few more click and it should be good back to normal. Thanks y'all

Edit: After a few months the noise came back so I ended up resurfacing the drums and that seemed to be the permanent solution to the noise coming from the rear brakes.

 

Yup, lift the tire up off the ground and screw down that adjuster untill the brake shoe grabs the drum. Then back it off 15 clicks and you should be good to go. Then every so often, apply your parking break to keep your adjuster in spec. I use my parking brake every time I'm parked in my driveway but I'm in the school-house of not letting my vehicle rest on my transmission, instead I rest it on my brakes.

-J