R4 F4 Front brakes

[MartinA]

Hi

From reading an old thread I realise that my front brakes are self adjusting but have no idea how to release them via the hole in the back plate.

Martin

 

[Andy McGhee]

Changement des garnitures de freins avant

Changement des garnitures de freins avant sur une Renault 4

www.la4ldesylvie.fr

 

[angel]

The hole should be on the brake drum, not the backplate. If it's there, position the drum so that the hole is at roughly 9 o'clock for the left side wheel, and 3 o'clock for the right wheel. Insert a flat blade screwdriver with a diameter of 4mm in the hole, push it as far as it will go, and while keeping it there rotate the drum towards normal direction of rotation. After 15-20 degrees of movement, the screwdriver will catch the self adjuster ratchet pawl and the shoes will retract.
If there is no hole you can try disconnecting the handbrake mechanism but you may need to employ a three legged puller placed over the ridge on the outside of the drum, especially if the drum is worn. Remember to drill a hole before refitting the drum, it will make life much easier next time!

 

[MartinA]

Thank you. I will give it a go but everythink is very rusty so I expect I will have to go down the puller route.

 

[André4Renaults]

Spraying a liberal amount of aerosol lubricant through the hole might help, but remember to clean throughly everything once you've taken the assembly apart.

 

[mr-reno-139]

Surely the brake drums will have 2 M6 threaded holes
Find 2 suitable 10mm headed set screws 40 mm long and wind in evenly should remove the drum

 

[MartinA]

Thank you. would never have known this method. Worked very well.