Corvair Forum

Easy way to figure it out. When the star wheel is going down (away from the backing plate) the adjuster needs to be expanding. Also the spring should not be touching the star wheel at all.

Just went through all of my self adjusters in the fall, they are finally working correctly, best brakes this car has had since I’ve owned it.

Okay we now have lift off.

They'll be marked L and R.

R & L letters were correct.

Also the spring should not be touching the star wheel at all.

Bottom spring that holds the shoes together in backwards.

Fully contacting the Star Wheel preventing it from turning.

Plus both little adjuster lever return springs were missing.

There are good pictures of both springs in 65 Shop Manual.

Now I'm going to take the rears apart and check them out.

I do believe these brakes will be ready for the autocross!!

I may have to disagree depending on how they're labeled. I just had to free some up last week so it should be fresh in my mind.
When you back up and apply the brakes the lever pushes down on the star wheel to expand the star wheel.
In the picture above I believe it is on the right side of the car. Backing up the wheel will be turning counter-clockwise. The lever engaging the star wheel will turn it clockwise. If you want it to expand when turning clockwise it has to be left hand thread.
So does L mean left side of the car or left hand thread?
Bonus point, the picture correctly has the short shoe forward.

In the original photo, spring is missing above adjuster. This is how it's supposed to be assembled (left side): Scanned photos are examples, not Corvair, but of a Chevelle.

See picture of parts laid out for LM passenger rear side that might help a little

I think they said the original photo above is not Corvair.
The subsequent photos by vairchet and 66vairguy are golden.
I like the information that L on the star wheel is left side of the car not left hand thread.

I've never understood the need for stating Drivers and Passenger instead of Left and Right. There's all those chaps in England and my mailman in a right hand drive Jeep. Sorry to judge but if you're standing at the front of the car wondering which side of the car is left you should probably just close the lid and call somebody.
Snagglepuss and exit stage left just came to mind. Now I can understand some confusion there so I'll just keep my seat.

When I remove brake springs I still lay them out directionally on the floor. It stems from when I didn't know what I was doing. At least now I question if they're correct, a lot can happen in 60 years.

Right again, Wagon!

From the driver's perspective, not standing in front of the car.

Yep, Phil, I recognize that Ford brake system, but the R on the lever means right, passenger, side of the car. And therefore that adjuster has left hand threads to get larger when the star wheel is turned by the lever. Actually a good picture since it addresses which side.

Oh, I see, the term passenger and driver's side does not work when you change driver position (how about that one off Corvair with the center driving position????). Stick with right and left....

jimbrandberg wrote: ↑Wed May 14, 2025 5:51 am
I've never understood the need for stating Drivers and Passenger instead of Left and Right.

You are lucky --- fact is many folks confuse LEFT and RIGHT. A recent airliner accident (minor) was caused when the pilot moved the LEFT lever instead of the RIGHT lever --- this was a captain with 5,000 miles and a perfect record. Tech writers and ergonomic layout folks are keen to provide a difference.

My favorite is the U.K. RIGHT HAND DRIVE (but you drive on the LEFT side of the road) vs. most of the rest of the word that drives RIGHT HAND ROADS (steering wheel on LEFT).

That said in U.S.A the drivers side is on the LEFT and in the U.K. the drivers side is on the RIGHT ---- I'm so confused

Let's not get going on what is the FRONT of a Corvair engine -----