Cadillac introduced the Seville into the Cadillac lineup in 1956. The first Sevilles were two-door coupes called the Eldorado Seville. The 1985 Cadillac Seville had a 4.1-liter V-8 engine or a 5.7-liter V-8 (350 cubic inches), and was a sedan, as are today's Sevilles. The front brakes on the 1985 Seville were disc brakes, while the rears were standard drum brakes. You can adjust the rear drum brakes to allow for more even braking throughout the whole car and to decrease the wear on the front brakes.
Tools Used: 2-ton jack (or greater capacity), 2 jack stands, 1 can aerosol brake cleaner spray, Small pry bar or large flat-head screwdriver, Hammer, Small, flat-head screwdriver, 1 can penetrating lubricant
Adjust the Rear Brakes
Lift the rear of the Seville. Place a jack stand underneath both ends of the rear axle housing, about 6 inches in from the back of the wheels. Remove the wheels from your Seville.
Remove the drum from the rear brakes, by hand if possible. If the drum resists or seems to be stuck, spray penetrating lubricant on the center of the drum, where it mounts onto the axle shaft. Gently tap the sides of the brake drum, while simultaneously pulling with your other hand, until the brake drum comes free of the vehicle. Use a pry bar between the drum and the brake backing plate for leverage, if necessary.
Spray the complete inside of the brake drum, as well as all of the rear brake hardware and components with brake cleaner spray. Spraying the parts will remove excess brake dust, dirt and debris that can hinder your rear brakes from performing properly.
Locate the "star-wheel adjuster," or brake adjuster wheel, at the bottom of the rear brake components. The adjuster is a metal rod that attaches to the brake shoes at either end and has a star-shaped gear vertically in the middle.
Turn the adjuster upward or downward, using a small, flat-head screwdriver. Turning the star wheel adjuster will either tighten or loosen the rear brakes by manually moving the brake shoes in or out. The brake shoes press against the drums in an outward motion to allow the rear of the vehicle to stop.
Place the brake drum back on the rear brake assembly. The brake drum should provide some amount of resistance when you attempt to reinstall it. If the brake drum slides on with no resistance, remove it and adjust the brakes outward. If the brake drum refuses to go on at all, without the use of a hammer, remove the drum and adjust the brakes inward. The ideal resistance will be between 15 and 20 foot-pounds for the best adjustment settings.
Repeat steps 2 through 6 to complete the rear brake adjustment on the second side of the Seville. Replace the wheels on the Seville only when you have completely adjusted both sides of the rear brake system. Tighten the wheel nuts between 95 to 110 foot-pounds of torque.
Lower the vehicle and depress the brake pedal several times before attempting to drive the car. Pumping the brake pedal will ensure that all of the brakes are functioning prior to driving.
Tips & Warnings
If the rear brake shoes on your Seville look like they are wearing unevenly, or are very thin, then replacement is necessary. If the brake drum inner wall is very thin, you may want to replace the drums. Rear drum brakes are the most overlooked part of the brake system, as they take so long to inspect and adjust. Checking and adjusting your rear brakes at least once every three months will help your entire brake system and extend the lifespan of both front and rear brakes.
Never lift a vehicle on uneven ground or a slope. Lifting the vehicle on uneven surfaces can cause jacks and jack stands to collapse. Failure to adhere to this warning could result in property damage, personal injury or even death if you are underneath the vehicle when it collapses.
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