how do u know the bake bias / change it, my car feels as if 100% of the braking is done by the front, do i just adjust my brakes or just change the bias???

 

Year and model would be a good place to begin this discussion. Whether you have four wheel disc brakes vs. discs in the front with drums in the rear would make a difference. Also, when was the last time hats, pads, and/or shoes were replaced? Tell us a bit more information so we may adequately assist. Thanks.

 

89 civic hb si all stock disks up front drums in da back replaced front pads aprox. 6 mo. ago never replaced the rears but no weird noises the car brakes/feels better when the handbrake is **clicked** 3 times. thanks

 

The parking brake is connected to a lever that actuates the shoes against the drums. By clicking the parking brake three times, you have effectively moved the shoes closer to the drums thus allowing pressure to be exerted faster in the rear drum assemblies. Based on what you have stated, two scenarios should be dealt with. First and foremost, it is time to inspect and replace worn parts in the rear brake assemblies (the shoes and possibly drums to be specific). Secondly, after completing that task, it is time to adjust your parking brake cables or possibly replace them.

 

A large majority of the braking is done solely by the front brakes due to how weight transfers, anyway. So its not a big deal.

You ought to adjust your rear shoes if you're that concerned and feel a difference with the ebrake clicked up. There is a rubber grommet at the top rear side of the housing you stick some needles in and turn the star adjuster. Very annoying. Its also designed to "self adjust" when braking backwards, like rolling down a hill. I've not found this useful tho.

Lastly, the condition of your shocks greatly affect braking too, as it also affects the rate of weight transfer. So good shocks are needed for better braking.

 

Thanks for that tidbit of information, Tyson. I haven't touched drum brakes for nearly fifteen years and did not recall that. I simply remember the handbrake should cause effective resistance after the first click if properly adjusted.

 

so how do i know how much to adjust it?? 1/4 turn??

 

Shops here charge the same amount of labor regardless of how much or how little of a turn it is. But you should do it yourself its real easy, nothing you need to spend money on.

 

this.

 

Yay! I contributed... sorta.