Adjusting brake shoes on Mazda?

[david151]

I have here the girlfriends Mazda 323 and the shoes need adjusting so that the handbrake works properly. The problem is I can't see how to do this? I always drive 4x4 vehicles myself and you normally remove the hubs and rotate a star wheel with a screw driver, however on the mazda I can't see any star wheel to adjust? I have uploaded some pictures of the mazda with the wheel hubs off, so would be grateful if someone could have a look at these to see what I should adjust:

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/338/53540728....
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/24/30317631.j...


I have looked at the back of the wheel hub, however there is nothing there that looks like it can be adjusted so really don't know what to do?

Any help would be much appreciated.

[D_G]

It's a small ratchet. Put a screwdriver in each side of the wheel cylinder and lever the shoes apart, it will ratchet up, probably two/three clicks will do it.

[david151]

Ok thanks for your reply. So are you saying actually lever on the shoes directly? Also what happens if I go too far how do I take them back in?

[D_G]

Yes, lever then the same as if the wheel cylinder is doing it. You will see and hear the ratchet click up, if you go too far you can lever one side of the ratchet to move it back. You'll see what I mean when you do it.

[david151]

Ok many thanks I will have a go tomorrow.