The rear brakes on my '96 seem to do almost nothing. When I first got it 2 years ago, I checked them out and the shoes were cracked, so I replaced the shoes, drums, and appropriate springs. I never thought much of it after that.

I was backing down a snow covered hill in 2wd, went to stop, and nothing happened. I was going slowly and had the door open at the time, so I looked, and the front wheels were locked up, but no matter how far I pushed on the pedal, the back two wheels kept rolling over the snow/ice. (As soon as I shifted into part time, I had no problem stopping. Point is, the rear brakes seem to be doing almost nothing. I confirmed this later by putting the rear up on jackstands, putting it in drive, and trying to brake to stop the rear wheels. No matter how far I pushed down on the pedal, it simply wouldn't stop.

Also, the parking brake is very weak. The handle will stop coming up as though it is engaged, yet it only will hold the car on the very slightest of hills.

Also, the rear brake lines, and wheel cylinders, were replaced. The system was bled properly.

Any ideas before I start throwing money at this? Could the star adjusters be worn? I have noticed before that they seem to back off on their own (loosen).

 

sounds like there out of adjustment

 

if the break lines are good, then they need adj. just had all 4 fully replaced (ye-ha...) and the rears havent been re-adjusted yet and they, like you said, do NOTHING... (untill i tighten em)...

 

manually adjust the rear brakes, if they're way out of adjustment doing the back up and stepping on the brakes method will do nothing. Adjust them until you can feel and hear a slight drag whil rotating the wheel.