A brake assembly has an auto-adjustment mechanism including an adjusting link that is rotatable to adjust an unloaded state position of a brake shoe, and an adjusting lever that operates to rotate the adjusting link during a release of the braking assembly to adjust the unloaded state position of the brake shoe. The auto-adjustment mechanism includes a pivot point mounted on a brake back plate about which the adjusting lever rotates, and an adjusting spring attached to the adjusting lever. The adjusting lever rotates in a first direction against the spring force when the brake assembly is actuated, and the adjusting spring by operation of the spring force rotates the adjusting lever in a second direction when the brake assembly is released. During the brake release, as the adjusting lever rotates back the adjusting lever catches the adjusting link in a ratchet fashion to rotate the adjusting link to adjust the unloaded state position of the brake shoes.

The vehicle drum brake comprises a plate, at least one segment comprising a core and a brake lining, a spring able to keep the core of the segment in an axially balanced position, means for prestressing the spring wherein said means for prestressing the spring include stop means limiting the ability of the core of the segment to move axially.

An apparatus for a vehicle is provided that includes and axle and an articulating brake component mounting plate carried by the axle. The articulating brake component mounting plate has an inner portion and an outer portion, and the position of the outer portion is adjustable with respect to the inner portion. Either the inner portion or the outer portion defines an adjustment nut aperture. An adjustment nut is located in the adjustment nut aperture.

An apparatus for a vehicle is provided that includes and axle and an articulating brake component mounting plate carried by the axle. The articulating brake component mounting plate has an inner portion and an outer portion, and the position of the outer portion is adjustable with respect to the inner portion. Either the inner portion or the outer portion defines an adjustment nut aperture. An adjustment nut is located in the adjustment nut aperture.