What should you do if a brake drum is excessively hot after an adjustment?

When a brake drum is excessively hot after an adjustment, it indicates that there may be an issue with the brake system, often related to over-adjustment. This means that the brakes might be making constant contact with the brake drum, leading to excessive friction and heat generation. In this situation, checking for over-adjustment is the appropriate action to take.

If the brakes are over-adjusted, they can create a drag on the drum, causing overheating and potentially damaging the brake components. By identifying and correcting the over-adjustment, you can restore proper function and safety to the braking system.

The other choices do not address the issue effectively. Leaving the brake drum as it is or considering it functioning normally ignores the warning sign of overheating, which could lead to brake failure. Replacing the entire brake system may be unnecessary if the issue can be resolved by simply adjusting it correctly. Thus, checking for over-adjustment is essential to ensure safety and the proper operation of the vehicle's braking system.