How To: C8A/C15 rear brake: adjustment tool?

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Hanno

Here is the little tool made for my HUPs first brake job, 40 years ago.

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Cheers Phil

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Thanks Phil,

Did you make this yourself or is this an off the shelf tool?

Just tried my friends home made tool - sadly that didn’t work...

Hanno

[Jordan Baker]

Can you fit a drift in the hole then hit that with a mallet? It might get things moving. It sounds like you are due for some replacement parts.

[rob love]

Did it not work because the angles were not right, or because the adjuster is siezed? If siezed, spray a little penetrating oil at it through the little hole, using the straw that comes with most oil spray cans, and let it sit for for a few days. You will have to clean the drum and shoes afterwards with brakecleaner or alcohol.

If it is the angle of the adjusting tool, then heat the tool with a torch and bend it to the angle you need.

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Hanno

I made it because non of the commercial ones worked. Made from some key stock heated and bent to shape.

Will take a better photo with dimensions and angles.

If you wonder about the Special Tool # 27257 I have a tool drawer where I put all the tools I've made over the years for the CMPs.

Cheers Phil

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Thanks for all the tips and hints, guys. The tool I borrow was made up from an old screwdriver. Angles were not entirely right and I could not put enough leverage on it.

It does not help the cylinders may be seized. I will be soaking them again in WD40 and copy Phil's tool. I have a 10 mm wide cold chisel, some 25 cm long, which I reckon would fold up nicely along Phil's dimensions - if you could please post the dimensions, Phil?

If the brakes are rusted solid and I cannot back off the brakes, I guess I have no choice but to pull the hub + brake drum with force?

Hanno

[rob love]

If you are unable to back off the adjusters, and even then are unable to free up the drum from the shoes (I take it you are saying the drum will not turn?) then what you could try is to unbolt the cylinder before pulling the drum. I am not up on the smaller brake systems, but if there are bottom anchors, or anchor pins, I would try and remove them at the back of the backing plate as well.

If the drum will turn, but just not back off, then use a bar or wooden handle (ie pick axe handle) on the wheel studs (protect the threads of course) and turn the drum while pulling the drum away from the hub. Again, whatever you can remove for the anchors may help remove the drum.