I'm not sure but i thought that was the best way so they work and don't drag. I have never adjusted them. With this you measure the ID of the drum and then adjust the OD of the shoes to .026 less than that. That's the method shown in the SM. You do this with the pedal adjustment slack and then afterwards you adjust the pedal. I just don't want to reinstall everything and then either have them making noise or not working. They've never worked. Have you ever adjusted yours?You really need a tool to set the brake shoe? When I did my rear brakes(parking brake shoe) it didn't seem like a special tool was needed.