Guest 03corollin
Hello all,
One day my girlfriend decided to drive about 40-50 miles at highway speeds with the emergency brake on. I was in the car with her when she noticed that the brakes "didn't feel right". I got in the driver's seat and promptly disengaged the emergency brake, found a parking lot and adjusted the brakes back by driving in reverse and hitting the brakes. They came back and the braking felt fine (didn't have to push it to the floor). She's got over 100K on there and is hard on the brakes notwithstanding the previous story...
Recently we'd heard some not-so-nice sounds from the rear brakes so I figured I should go ahead and change the rear brake shoes. When I removed the drum I found a loose spring in the bottom and the adjuster lever which was now bent up and in two pieces. Drums look ok. So I ordered shoes and a "brake hardware kit" from the local not-so-advanced auto parts store; which they told me would have the lever and would cover both wheels. Picked it up today...no lever and only springs for one wheel. I've order another hardware kit, but they couldn't help me with the adjuster lever.
Anyone ever heard of a broken adjuster lever? Did I get on them too hard in reverse, when they were already really hot? Anyone have any ideas where I could get one? Do I have to go to a dealer? I spoke with them and they were most unhelpful and rude and would do anything to not give them my business (another reason I drive a Saturn ).
Thanks for your time!
Clay