Frustrated and feel like an idiot...

So, is there any other place to adjust the rear brake tension besides the screw at end of the brake cable?  I've tightened and loosened all the way and it's still sloppy as heck.  I tried searching for this in the "search" section but couldn't find any info.  Please help.  Thanks!

Quote:
and it's still sloppy as heck.
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Thats a swingin description....
Does the brake work or don't it ?

There is no other adjustment, except for the positioning of the brake pedal to match your foot position.
There is an adjustment for the stoplite switch however, which is adjusted only after the brake adjustment is correct, and then only if needed to make the stoplite work correctly in conjunction w/ the brake pedal.

You know the arm on the brakes on a bicycle that hooks to thestrap that goes around the frame of the bike, right? The bikes with the coaster brakes, not hand brakes, okay? Something has to hold the brake shoes when the brakes are used, or theyll just go round in a circle. Theres an arm on the brake shoe holder with a slot in it that slips up on atab on the inside of the swingarm.

Bobber, when you reinstall the wheel on the right side of the bike there is a long black arm that is part of the frame (it's what the wheel attaches to) that is your swingarm (one on each side of the bike). The right side of the swingarm has a welded black tab on it, the brake hub has a raised notched area on it (like an arm), those have to be slid together otherwise don't ride the bike!!!
if that is all good then the actual brake arm (what the cable attaches to at the brake drum) should be in a position that is between the 2 scribe marks on the right of the brake drum...

Ok, my last post should have said "BRAKE ARM" instead of swing arm.  I know what the swing arm is.  I hadn't had my coffee yet this morning.

Routy - Thanks for the insight.  Moving forward, just so everyone knows....someone else took the bike apart.  

Bubba - Thanks for your insight as well.  That is all I was looking for.  I just need to put the brake arm between the 2 scribe marks on the drum.

Charon - I'll keep that in mind...

Justin_0 - Thanks.  I'm not sure what I was thinking when someone said swing arm "tab".  I know what the swing arm is, but haven't heard the term swing arm tab.  If that is the proper term for it, my bad.  Brake drum and swing arm tab are good to go.

Thanks for everyone's help.  I'm sure I just need to adjust the BRAKE ARM ...not the swing arm.       I'm not an idiot.  I promise.

verslagen1 wrote on 08/04/10 at 08:52:44:


+1... everyone here is confused at one time or another...
P.S. the brake arm should be lined up to the scribe mark towards the front of the bike...

How far can you move the arm onthe brake drum by hand?

When I got my bike the brake arm mark was actually in front of the scribe mark.
I replaced both ft and rear pads when I got new tires. I lined up the scribe marks to the way it was supposed to be.
Right now, I have the cable tightened pretty close it it's limit and the brake still feels kinda mushy...I can lock it up if I stomp on it but may set the arm forward a bit just to get back a more solid feel to it.

I don't want it too tight just cuz I don't want the rear rubbing constantly against the drum. The drum was full of brake dust when I did the replacement and it squealed like a banshee...

Anyone else want to chime in???