I couldn't find any thread or post on adjusting the rear drum brake shoes for optimal performance, so starting a new thread. This is important because it is a safety related aspect.
The information below will be applicable to cars with front disc and rear drum brakes.
I have a VW Polo 1L TSI MT, one of the last pieces from it's discontinuation 2 years ago. Several modifications and upgrades have been made for high performance- Bilstien B12 suspension, Whiteline rear sway bar and Wolf Stage 1 tune. The 1st upgrade made was of course EBC Yellow Stuff pads.
However, on a long highway drive, I kept feeling that the brake performance is inadequate, forcing me to plan braking well in advance and use engine braking as well.
I was contemplating switching to a larger brake caliper.
Then the car would also roll back if parked on uphill inclines with the hand brake fully engaged. Here I had to park in 1st gear as well to prevent the car from rolling back.
So on the next visit to the workshop, the mechanic adjusted the rear brake shoes to fix the handbrake issue. (Normally, this should be done from the handbrake cable). The outcome of the adjustment was that one of the shoe was touching the drum, and the other was spinning freely.
Subsequently, the braking performance leapt up. On my last visit to the workshop, I had the shoes adjusted evenly. This is roughly how the wheel rotation should be with the shoe just touching the drum-
Now the performance is optimal.
When we apply the brakes, the rear brakes engage first, then the front brakes engage. The proportioning valve distributes the brake force as explained in this YouTube video-
If there is a space between the shoes and the drum allowing the wheels to spin freely, there is a clear, perceptible and uncomfortable bias in brake force towards the front brake. On the other hand, if the rear wheels' shoes are in contact with the drums, all 4 brakes work equally, and that can be felt easily. The brake pedal feel, stopping power and control over the car is hugely enhanced.
I won't need the bigger front calipers now!