1998 Suzuki KQ - Brake Problem

[vcrazy8]

I replaced the front and rear brakes on my 98 King Quad 300 today. The right front is dragging. it had plenty of clearance when I installed the drum. it turned normal until I tried to test drive it. Wheel cylinders were dry and not leaking. Also even with a dragging Right front brake they are weak. I wonder if it is something with the self adjuster and how can I get the drum back off. I just recently bought it for cheap because he got laid off of work so I don.t know any history on it. It didn't do it before but the brakes were very weak and thats why new brake shoes. old oned wereabout 60% gone. Thanks.

[oxidized_black]

you can adjust them with the drum on with the inspection cover rubber boot off. turn the star wheel to adjust tight or loose, probably have to bleed the fronts again ...

[vcrazy8]

There is no round star wheel adjustment like on a cars drum brakes. it is a strange ratcheting gizmo. I wish it had disc brakes.

[Tim-ANC]

Yes, welcome to the early Suzuki drum brake engineering marvel. I could write a Sam Kinison skit about it.

Sounds like a stuck adjuster. I can't remember if there is an access hole to get at it. I'll look through my pics tomorrow. Here's a thread I posted about the system:

Page 3 - Suzuki King Quad project - Forums - 907Outdoors

[Tim-ANC]

Attached from my Clymer manual to release the adjuster on a stuck brake.

[vcrazy8]

Thanks for that info. I have been turning wrenches on cars and bikes for over 30 years. The first thought when I saw the adjuster was that crack had made its way to Japanese engineers. I need to figure out why after using the brakes it stays tight. I must have put something together wrong. it did not do it until I installed new brake shoes.

Edited February 10, 2014 by vcrazy8

[Tim-ANC]

Thanks for that info. I have been turning wrenches on cars and bikes for over 30 years. The first thought when I saw the adjuster was that crack had made its way to Japanese engineers. I need to figure out why after using the brakes it stays tight. I must have put something together wrong. it did not do it until I installed new brake shoes.

The adjusters are different left and right. Do you have the Clymer manual?

[vcrazy8]

No I don't have a Clymer manual. I got the drum off using the image you showed. I removed and media blasted and cleaned the the adjusters. I figured out how they work. It is a complicated little contraption. The brakes work better but still seem weak. Maybe I need to let them wear in some. No matter how hard I apply the brakes I can't get them to lock up. I just got this atv last week so I will be posting other questions as I find more problems. I got it real cheap because it would not start. The intake valve had 0 lash. I adjusted it and it fired right up and runs good.

[Tim-ANC]

You can download the manual from the sticky thread in this section. 2nd item on the list. I'm an airplane mechanic and am all about RTFM.

Good news on the brakes. Yeah, front drum brake system, what a joke. I assume you made sure the pistons are not seized. If one of the adjusters doesn't lock, then the shoes will go full limp every time. That side will use all the hydraulic volume and will not actuate the other side. Use DOT4 fluid and lastly, bleed the snot out of it.