Chrysler Repair: brake self-adjuster: minivan rear drum, dodge caravan, star wheels

Question
I have 2003 Dodge Caravan.I  just today replaced the rear brake shoes.I have adjusted the brakes initialy.aaaaadoes the self adjuster only work in conjunction with  the parking brake or when you reverse like my Ford does?Also I dont see an adjustment for the parking brake.The right rear applies and holds but not the left.Cable is not siezed  but it appears to have too much freeplay and I dont se any wayt to adjust it shorter.Do I just use one of those things you put on with a threaded hook you tighten
to take up some cable length?these Dodges seem to have quite a complicated self adjusting setup although I did put it back together correctly using the opposite side for guideance.Thanks Mark

Answer
Hi Mark,
The manual is not specific but I would believe that the adjusters work when the hydraulic brake is operated when the vehicle is moving in reverse. If you adjusted the star wheels originally to just allow for drag-free operation that should be the initial set up of the shoes. The adjustment of the shoes is unrelated to the adjustment of the parking brake function as best I can tell. Do you believe there is a problem with the hydrualic functioning of the rear brakes or the shoe adjustment?
The parking brake system is supposed to be self-adjusting via an equalizer and also a foot pedal lever that maintains tension on the cables when not in use and this is said to obviate the need for parking brake adjustment. However there are about 10 pages in the '02 manual I have about this system which you may need to figure out what is wrong. I can xerox copy and postal mail you the pages.
If you would send me back four 44-cent stamps to cover my costs after you get them, that would be appreciated. Let me know a postal mailing address.
Roland