Date: Sun, 29 Feb 2004 21:32:16 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: Self-adjusting brakes? True/ False 88GL
In-Reply-To: <BC67FF75.364A%msutts@earthlink.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
If the brakes are assembled correctly and everything is working, they
are self adjusting. There are a number of things I always see that make
them not work properly.
Drum diameter must be in spec.
Aftermarket shoes rarely have the full thickness lining, new should be
6mm.
Since the shoes only travel and move at the top, these dimensions are
critical. Did the old shoes wear evenly? If only worn on top, then the
drums are oversized.
Hand brake cable adjustment is done before installing drums. With shoes
in place, turn top adjuster to just take up the slack, do not push shoes
out. Them adjust cable linkage to have ~1/16" clearance at the arm. Work
lever to see that both sides are even. It's OK to have to pull on one
side to take up slack on the other but make sure the arms return fully
when the lever is al the way down. If the cables do move freely and
consistently, it is time for new cables.
I often add shims to the lower shoe mounts to get the bottoms moved
closer to the drums. I find 3mm under each post usually works, even with
new drums and OEM shoes. After market shoes need 4 or 5mm.
After installing the drums, you can work the adjustment from behind the
backing plate to get things started. This will also adjust the parking
brake. If the parking brake does not work after this something is wrong.
Adjusting the parking brake cable after this will mess up the adjuster
operation as the lever can not return all the way home.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Matt Sutton
Sent: Sunday, February 29, 2004 8:44 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Self-adjusting brakes? True/ False 88GL
Hi folks,
did my first rear-brake job today. Wow, I'd heard it was hard to get
those drums off, but boy: 2 hours for the right side alone! Left took
about
15 min., probably just getting more comfortable hammering the drums.
New shoes, new hardware, a lot of comparing sides to make sure I was
reassembling right. Bled till clear, almost a quart of fluid. Cylinders
look good, no leaking.
Driving afterwards, everything feels a little soft. I can feel it
grabbing back there where it hadn't before, but not in a confidence
inspiring way. With the wheels up, there was a little drag, pretty even
between both sides.
The real question: Will these shoes settle in via the self adjuster,
or
should I be adjusting as I go for a while?
Note: I disconnected the parking brake cables in my efforts to free
the
drums, and re-connected it when it was all assembled. It is in-active
now,
but didn't have time to adjust it.
Thanks,
Matt sutton
88 GL
NYC
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