How to replace the rear brake shoes (pads)

[gingerdyde]

I have the driver side drum off again because it doesn't seem to be self adjusting like the passenger side. I noticed that the adjustment lever or "tooth grabber" doesn't seem to be touching the star wheel at all on this side. Everything is brand new.

For example on the passenger side when I manually adjust the brakes I can hear and feel the "click click click" noise as that little lever slaps against the star wheel as I turn it. It also prevents me from rotating the star wheel to bring the shoes closer together unless I pry the level out a little with another screwdriver. I assume this is normal operation.

The driver side does not do this at all. I can rotate the star wheel freely in both directions and the little lever doesn't touch the wheel. I tried moving the spring that connects that lever to the brake shoe facing inside and outside and the result is the same. I have the proper kits on each side (one was marked with an L and the other an R). It's almost like I just need to bend that little lever a little more inwards and it would work fine. Any thoughts?

[xintersecty]

BEND IT. Sometimes you just to need to warp things yourself. It sounds like you made the correct assessment. Pictures are always helpful

[gingerdyde]

You're going to laugh at this, but I went to bend the little lever and the damn thing snapped in half. Anyways, got it replaced and the new one is fine. Must have been defective from the start.