1. Safety First:
* Park on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
* Chock the front wheels. This is crucial to prevent the car from rolling while you work.
* Wear safety glasses. Brake dust is abrasive.
2. Understanding the System:
The 1987 Cutlass Supreme likely has self-adjusting rear drum brakes. This means that ideally, they *should* adjust themselves automatically as you use the brakes. However, they can malfunction or wear out, requiring manual adjustment. This involves adjusting the star wheel located inside the brake drum.
3. Checking for Proper Adjustment:
* Inspect the brake shoes and drums: Check for excessive wear or damage. Significant wear means new shoes and potentially drums are needed, and adjusting the star wheel won't solve the underlying problem.
* Spin the rear wheels: Rotate each rear wheel by hand. They should spin freely without noticeable resistance, but with a slight drag from the parking brake. If the wheels are hard to turn, the brakes are too tight. If they spin too freely, they're too loose.
* Check the parking brake: Make sure the parking brake engages properly and holds the car securely. This isn't directly part of the rear brake shoe adjustment, but a related indicator of overall brake health.
4. Adjusting the Brakes (If Necessary):
WARNING: If the self-adjusting mechanism isn't working, manual adjustment *can be tricky and requires precision*. If you're not comfortable doing this, take the vehicle to a qualified mechanic. Incorrect adjustment can lead to uneven braking and damage to your brake system.
If you need to adjust manually (and only if the self-adjusting mechanism isn't working), these are the general steps. Refer to a repair manual specific to your 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme for detailed instructions and diagrams:
* Remove the wheel.
* Remove the brake drum. This might require some persuasion (gentle tapping with a rubber mallet is usually sufficient).
* Locate the star wheel. It's usually a toothed wheel that you can turn with a special tool (a brake adjuster tool) or sometimes a flat-head screwdriver.
* Adjust the star wheel. Turn it *clockwise* to tighten the brakes. Turn it only a small amount at a time (1/4 to 1/2 turn maximum), then re-check the wheel rotation. Repeat until you feel the proper resistance. You'll be looking for a balance between free rotation and sufficient braking.
* Reinstall the brake drum and wheel.
5. Testing:
After adjusting, pump the brake pedal several times to ensure the self-adjusters are working (if they were the problem) and make a short test drive to verify the brake feel and performance. Uneven braking indicates a need for further adjustment or potentially more serious issues.
Crucial Note: A repair manual specific to your 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme is highly recommended. It will have detailed diagrams, specifications, and torque values that are critical for safe and correct brake adjustment. Improperly adjusted brakes can be extremely dangerous.
