Date:         Thu, 30 Dec 2010 13:25:12 -0600
Reply-To:     Jason Swan <jason@SWANSONTHEGO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jason Swan <jason@SWANSONTHEGO.COM>
Subject:      '91 Vanagon Brake Shoe Question
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; DelSp="Yes"; format="flowed"

   Hi all,

   I just found the list after quite a few years with my Vanagon.   
I've managed to muddle my way through most maintenance issues, but got  
stumped recently.  I replaced my rear brake shoes and wheel  
cylinders.  The cylinders were shot, and I did the shoes because I had  
everything apart.  Anyway, after replacing the shoes, I bled the  
lines, and now I have to pump the brakes a few times before I get good  
braking.  In fact, the brakes act like they aren't adjusting at all.   
No hand brake friction at all, and the brakes need to be pumped each  
time.  I did clean everything with brake cleaner and a wire brush when  
I had it apart, and I'm reasonably confident that the self-adjusting  
mechanism should work... 

   Anyway, since I don't have a ton of time, I took the van to a  
recommended euro-auto mechanic who seemed to know what he was talking  
about.  After first telling me that it needed new brake shoes because  
they were down to the metal ("funny" I said, "as the brake shoes have  
less than 15 miles on them..."), then telling me I had the brake shoes  
in the reverse positions (right shoe on the left, and vice versa), he  
then told me that the shoes were improperly constructed because the  
brake pads on both shoes are equal.  He tells me there is supposed to  
be a short side and a long side.  If not, then the brakes won't work.

   I bought the shoes at the local Advance Auto parts.  I don't think  
they were all that expensive.  And, to be honest, after looking at the  
old brakes (which both had shorter, but equal length, pads on the  
shoe) I can't see how 1" less pad on the bottom of the shoe can affect  
the brakes.  But, this guy swore up and down that that was the  
problem.  I didn't have him do my brakes, as I had completely lost  
confidence in him.  But, before I get in there and see what else could  
be the problem, I wanted to ask y'all if there is truth in this.  Do I  
need to go find some more brake shoes; a set with a short side and a  
long side?

   Thanks in advance!

   --
Jason Swan
1991 Vanagon