How to adjust brakes on a '51 M38

TheJeeper · Post by **TheJeeper** » Tue May 26, 2009 4:23 pm

I didn't see a access hole for a star wheel like any other vehicle I have encountered, so I was curious as to how they adjust, if they adjust at all, that is.

Post by **wesk** » Tue May 26, 2009 6:35 pm

It's all there in your TM 9-8012 or 8014 depending on which jeep you have. These brakes have cam type anchor pins that when rotated move the shoe towards or away from the drum. Instead of a brake spoon you need two open end thick wrenches. The small one is a special wrench and is seldom seen anymore.

Let your fingers do the walking through your TM pages and decide weather you will be doing a minor or major adjustment and follow each detail to the "T".

TheJeeper · Post by **TheJeeper** » Tue May 26, 2009 7:41 pm

wesk wrote:It's all there in your TM 9-8012 or 8014 depending on which jeep you have.

Wait, what? What is a "TM 9-8012"?

Post by **wesk** » Tue May 26, 2009 8:07 pm

It's a service manual for the M38. It's a little book with a ton of info in it. You can always spot the guys that don't bother using them. They invest more money in their jeeps doing a job more than once.

TheJeeper · Post by **TheJeeper** » Tue May 26, 2009 8:35 pm

Oh, I gotchya. Where might I be able to acquire one of these manuals?

Post by **wesk** » Tue May 26, 2009 8:38 pm

They are free since Ryan loaded them right here at the top of the page click on "Downloads" and follow the yellow brick road!

TheJeeper · Post by **TheJeeper** » Tue May 26, 2009 8:55 pm

Thanks. I'm greatly appreciative of the info. The front passenger side break is holding, so perhaps I can adjust it to free up the wheel. Although, it may have a bad wheel cyl.