brake adjustment wd45

I replaced some trans gears in my wd45 and I am going back together with it now.  I have the final drives back in and the brakes on.  The manual says to use the rear set screw center the brakes around the drum.  Since i cant see much what is the best way to center them or how to know when they are centered?

It goes something like this......you tighten the nut on top to get the shoe clearance tightened up so you get the pedal travel you need,then you use the set screw in the back side to move the assembly to a position which ends up with both shoes traveling the same amount to touch drum. You have to work the pedal and watch the shoes move to decide which one is moving the most and adjust accordingly. Can be a little tricky in that you see more of one than the other and the way things move in there is a bit deceptive. Pay attention and don't get fooled. If you don't get it close(and close is okay-don't have to be perfect) you will have one shoe dragging the drum and wear it out quickly. This is all done with the covers off. Hope that helps. Any time you adjust the free play you need to check the shoe travel and readjust the set screw if necessary.

Edited by SteveM C/IL - 05 Feb 2012 at 10:29pm

Thanks for the input.  I am gone for the week, but when i get home plan pn adjusting them up. 

I am giving this a bump, as the there is a lot of excellent info in such a short post. Perhaps the admin team will see fit to move this topic to the knowledge base subsection.