john - The brake shoes back off by turning the square ended shaft located at the top of the backing plate. [EDIT - on the rear this is located at the back of the backing plate. On the front it's located at the top. See post #4.] The shaft moves outwards (turn the shaft CCW) to allow the shoes to move inwards (the direction you want to move them before pulling the drum). You may need to squirt a bit of penetrating oil on the threads, and rock the shaft back and forth to loosen it up, but eventually it will come. It will feel "notchy" the first few partial turns but it will even out as it loosens. Be somewhat judicious with your use of force on that, the end of that bolt can round over fairly easily. Attachment below is what that shaft looks like. You can use a square socket, or there is a special tool made for that, but I generally (very carefully) use an adjustable wrench. Vice Grips in a pinch, but they will chowder up the head.
Oops, should have gone out to the car to check. Thanks for catching that, Y-B. But that would have meant crawling down to take a look, and then getting back up!I think JayJay meant to say the rear brake adjusting wedge is located to the rear of the backing plate (rear of car). The front brakes have the adjusting wedge at the top of the backing plate. I use my ever present Knipex Plier Wrench to turn it.
