How does one adjust the rear brakes on the Kia Sephia? I don't see the
standard access hole where you can insert a screwdriver to move a star
wheel. Course, after taking off the drum I don't see a star wheel or
where to adjust them. I don't think that the brakes are adjusting
automatically as it takes more pedal travel than 'normal' for the
brakes to start working. The shoes don't look bad, even after about
90,000 miles. The parking brake does take a lot of notches before it
holds. When I spin the wheel it moves very freely so I am assuming at
this point that it just needs the adjustment. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Jim
halatos2000@gmail.com - 04 Jan 2006 17:29 GMT
The rear adjuster on the sephia is a pain, it uses a toothed
arrangement that is supposed to hold the shoes apart as they wear. On
mine the 'adjuster' was frozen together, I had to take the shoes out to
fix it. The adjuster assembly is on the upper bar just below the wheel
cylinder.
Chris
kawvger12@yahoo.com - 05 Jan 2006 17:01 GMT
It's a pity that ALLdatadiy.com didn't have the instructions on how to
make this adjustment. I don't think that this vehicle ever adjusted.
Can the adjustment be made from the outside or does one have to do this
with the drum off?
Thanks,
Jim
halatos2000@gmail.com - 06 Jan 2006 19:33 GMT
I had to take the drum off to do mine. The easiest way to accomplish
this is to remove the #3 sized phillips drum retaining screw and then
thread that screw into the jacking hole 90 degrees away(radially). As
the screw is tightened it will press the drum off the hub. Make sure
you have a good fitting #3 genuine phillips. I have a craftsman one
that has a handle that you can put a crescent wrench on for additional
leverage to break the screw loose.
Last time I fixed this I put a very small quantity of wheel bearing
grease on the adjuster assembly. It did not last very long as I think
the adjuster is frozen up again. I would suggest using anti-sieze
compound.
Chris
kawvger12@yahoo.com - 08 Jan 2006 22:12 GMT
Ok, so the adjusting screw is a Phillips Head? HaHa, and here I was
trying to adjust it with a regular screwdriver. I spent a good 15
minutes dicking around with it and gave up. At least I found the hole
in the back of the mounting plate with the ity bity rubber plug. No
wonder it didn't adjust. My next window of opportunity is next
weekend. I looked at the front brakes and they're pretty low as well.
I do remember that I had a hell of time getting the right pads from
Kia. Turns out the correct ones fit a 2002 Spectra, not a 2001 Sephia.
My other daughter has a Mitsubishi Galant and she needed a calipers.
Her car is a 4 cylinder. I had a rough time with them until we tried
the calipers from a 6 cylinder and then they fit.
Why does this always happen to me?
Anyway, thanks.
Jim
halatos2000@gmail.com - 09 Jan 2006 20:42 GMT
Jim,
The screw that holds the drum on is a #3 phillips. There are no
provisions for making a travel adjustment short of removing the drum to
my knowledge. The 'plug' that I believe you are referring to is merely
an inspection hole for looking at the thickness of the shoes.
Chris
kawvger12@yahoo.com - 11 Jan 2006 11:53 GMT
Well, that's a mighty small hole to look at anything. So what you are
saying is that to adjust the brake shoes manually you have to remove
the drum? And this is assuming nothing is frozen?
Jim
halatos2000@gmail.com - 12 Jan 2006 22:44 GMT
I had to remove the drum to get at mine. If it is rusted to the hub you
may have to use a hex-head bolt in the jackscrew hole. I was always
able to press it apart with just the force of the phillips screw but
your experience may be different.
Chris