14 bolt initial brake adjustment ???

[dennislbrooks]

First off, congrats to 66chevymax --nice truck-- and all my fellow competitors for 2016 TOTY.
I thank all who voted and for allowing me my TOTM.

Now here is my question. I have a GM 14 bolt SRM from a 74-75 C20 RWD. Ring gear was dated dec 73. I am refreshing it with brakes and seals and my question is what --if needed -- is the initial adjustment of the brake shoes? It has no hole in the backing plates --nor indent for one-- but the drums do show a location --kind of a knockout.

1) Do I adjust them kinda with drum only? Drum is inside of hub --11 x 2 3/4 brakes --apart now --drums were turned off hubs. And then use the backup brake procedure for adjusting them later?

2) Or should I drill out the drum location and cleanup with a carbide die grinder for a slot --I have 2 rubber plugs. If I make a drum slot hole it would be on the wrong side of the adjuster arm.

3) Or make a slot in the backing plate?

[kwmech]

I always make a slot in the backing plate. The spring kits come with a rubber plug, so it makes it easier to plug the hole afterwards

[68gmsee]

My 68 had never had a brake job so the drums all had the knockout on the outer edge. I just knocked both of them out on each drum.

Clean and check the back plate really well and see if you can detect a knockout on the rear app. where the star adjuster is located.

I adjust mine so they barely rub/touch when I rotate the drum. Sometimes I adjust them out until they're tight and back off to barely rubbing.