Thanks everybody for the advice.
I ordered a real brake adjuster off amazon.
OK, star up to tighten. I assume that means grab the star at the bottom and then pry it up?
I will try to spray Kroil in there but it won't hit much through the tiny slot hole.
Re: park brake - good idea but it rusted tight years ago. I want a variation of this idea, tighten stars until I got enough drag that machine will stop on level ground with no brake. NOTE: this antique truck has a transmission and clutch, gas engine. Not like the hydro-static in virtually all newer fork trucks.
I will NOT do more. If this does not get it, time to get another lift. Reason is parts - in the good old days one could work with a service desk. Today they need a stock number to order. Hyster won't even try.