Replaced cylinders, shoes and drums on my Ford Atlas axle and the drums won't go over the shoes. Handbrake is not connected and the cylinders appear to be full retracted. Is this lever sitting right or should the shoe nestle in the notch on the lever?


Atlas handbrake lever

Regards,
David

Are you sure the cylinders are right in it looks out to me
It’s a long time since I did drum brakes

Next time photos are your friend before stripping
G

You need to rotate the cam to the opposite position, it is in the fully extended position at the moment.

It's a bit fiddly to rotate, but if you lever the shoe so the tension is removed, then as you rotate the cam, let the shoe back until it gets to the stop.

The handbrake will self adjust when you firmly press the footbrake and work the lever a couple times.

Dave

Thanks both. I'll be venturing into the garage later.....

It was the handbrake adjuster, not helped by the shoes being too firmly held in place that stopped it from completely relaxing. I brief smack or two with a hammer sorted it out.

Regards,
David