# Is the disc w/drum parking brake configuration self adjusting?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-the-disc-w-drum-parking-brake-configuration-self-adjusting/194802>\
**Category:** General Discussion\
**Created:** [April 27, 2024, 10:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-the-disc-w-drum-parking-brake-configuration-self-adjusting/194802 "2024-04-27T22:21:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2024, 10:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-the-disc-w-drum-parking-brake-configuration-self-adjusting/194802/1 "2024-04-27T22:21:52Z")

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Just curious. Both disc & drum brakes tend to be self adjusting as far a normal operation of the brake pedal. The parking brake on rear drum brake configurations is self adjusting b/c it uses the same brake shoes. But wondering if the parking brake is self adjusting on cars w/rear disc brakes, which use mini-brake shoes for the parking brake? Or do those have to be manually adjusted from time to time?

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**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2024, 10:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-the-disc-w-drum-parking-brake-configuration-self-adjusting/194802/2 "2024-04-27T22:42:46Z")

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Yes, they usually self adjust. But some do need the be adjusted from time to time.

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [April 27, 2024, 10:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-the-disc-w-drum-parking-brake-configuration-self-adjusting/194802/3 "2024-04-27T22:48:46Z")

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As they are only used for holding the car still when parking, I’d guess neither the parking brake’s drum nor the shoes wear much. This suggests the main reason to have to adjust them would be if the cable stretches.

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**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 1:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-the-disc-w-drum-parking-brake-configuration-self-adjusting/194802/4 "2024-04-28T01:02:16Z")

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Not GM truck drum in hat parking brakes. The axle flexes and wears the shoes.

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**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\
**Post date:** [April 28, 2024, 11:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/is-the-disc-w-drum-parking-brake-configuration-self-adjusting/194802/5 "2024-04-28T11:02:23Z")

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I know that the Toyota with rear discs and the parking brake in a drum in the disc are not self adjusting, at least up to 2013.

> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#):
>
> This suggests the main reason to have to adjust them would be if the cable stretches.

Then you would adjust the cable not the shoes.