Random rear brake questions

[Shane Kelley]

So what happens here is when you back your car up and push the brakes it makes the shoes move and that causes this lever (circled in red) to pull up on the adjuster teeth. That keeps your brakes adjusted. So the adjuster turns a certain direction and you want to make sure that when the lever pulls up on the teeth it's threading the adjuster out (circled in orange). Basically spreading the brake shoes apart.  Hope this helps you!

[Shane Kelley]

IMPORTANT!!!  Do not use a blow gun and blow that brake dust out and breath it. It more than likely have Asbestos in it.

[Chryco Psycho]

First there should be virtually no space between the shoes & drum but it should not drag either , so you need to reach through the slots in the backing plate & adjust until you feel drag as you turn the drum & back it off just a little so you can feel it rub but not drag.
Bad news is you are missing all of the self adjuster hardware , there is a lever to adjust the star wheel , a cable & a guide all missing then the springs will hook up correctly  as shown in Shanes picture , there are 2 shes with longer brake surface & 2 shorter ones , long always goes to the rear short to the front , the star wheel is also directional , as the lever pulls up on the back side of the wheel it needs to lengthen the adjuster not shorten it
CP

[nsmall]

Thanks everyone.  Really, really, really appreciate your help.

[Chryco Psycho]