Probably best to think of handbrake adjustent as a 2 step job
Step 1: Brake shoe adjustment
Step 2: Cable adjustment
Step 1
Make sure the cable has a little slack.
You can now start adjusting the brake shoes, typicly done through the slots on the shoe assembly backplate with a flat bladed screwdriver.
Take each wheel on turn & wind the adjusters out until the brake shoes lock the rear wheel ( Can sometimes help to gently tap the outside of the drums with a copper hammer as this can help to centre the shoes )
Once the rear wheel is locked, back the shoe adjuster off a couple of clicks.
This should set the shoe to drum, running clearance.
You may find that the shoes are still rubbing lightly on the drums, more often than not, they will be completely free after a short run as this will bed in & fully centre the shoes. ( If the wheels are binding too hard, back off another couple of clicks )
Step 2
Using the plastic adjuster on the handbrake cable, adjust the cable to take out some of the slack.
This will adjust the handbrake lever travel.
I guess 6 or 7 clicks on the handbrake lever should be enough travel.
Obviously when the handbrake is pulled up, the rear brakes should lock & you should still have some reserve travel of the handbrake lever.
Once all adjusted up, give the car a short drive, may help to work the brake pedal & handbrake lever whilst you drive ( Again this will help to bed in the shoes, center the shoes correctly & allow time for the automatic adjusters to set the shoe to drum clearance )
It goes without saying, if your going on a test drive it needs to be done in the absence of other traffic
Once steps 1 & 2 are done
Jack up the rear wheels, let the handbrake off & check that the rear brakes are not binding.
If after all of this the brakes are still binding the rear drums & shoes will need to be striped down to find out what the problem is.
Most of the time it will be either, incorrectly fitted springs or siezed automatic adjusters.
Other faults
Siezed/dry handbrake cable.
Too tight a bend in the handbrake cable & pinching the inner cable.
Siezed/sticky slave cylinder.
Hope this is of some help
