Handbrake self adjust not working

[ExPat2B]

I am a bit stuck trying to get the rear drums handbrake to adjust properly. Car is a Kia Shuma 2001 , which I belive is the same as a 323 Mazda underneath.

I have changed the rear shoes and drum and the handbrake adjust does not seem to be working. My normal proccedure with drums is to adjust the self adjuster ( on this model it is a bar split by a spring with a toothed cam that makes the car langer or shorter ) put the drum back on.

Then adjsut the cable to loosest setting, then apply footbrake. I understand the self sdjuster is supposed to "click" the cam out to the right setting. then tighten cable and pull handbrake. The problem is that the handbrake is very very weak... and the adjuster does nto seem to have moved position when I take the drum back off.

Any idea how to fiddle the adjuster to work ? I think new ones are 30 quid a side......and I suspect since I am not used to these brakes I am doing something wrong.