Date:         Thu, 30 Dec 2010 17:03:49 -0600
Reply-To:     Jason Swan <jason@SWANSONTHEGO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jason Swan <jason@SWANSONTHEGO.COM>
Subject:      Re: '91 Vanagon Brake Shoe Question
Comments: To: Mike S <mikes@FLATSURFACE.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <20101230201252.1529AA007D@locke.alientech.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; DelSp="Yes"; format="flowed"

Well, now there's something I couldn't figure out by just looking at  
the brakes!  Thanks for the instruction.  I'll work it out tomorrow.

   --
Jason SwanQuoting Mike S <mikes@FLATSURFACE.COM>:

> At 02:25 PM 12/30/2010, Jason Swan wrote...
>> 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...
>
> After installing new shoes (you should have had to back off the
> adjuster all the way to get the drum to install over the new ones), you
> need to work the parking brake quite a few times to readjust them. Each
> time you pull on the parking brake, it adjusts 1 click (you should be
> able to hear it with the door or window open, engine off). It takes
> 8-10 clicks to turn the adjuster star once around, and it may take
> several turns until it's actually adjusted.
>
> Once the parking brake starts actually engaging (you should feel it
> tightening up), work the brake pedal a few times to help center the
> shoes, then work the parking brake some more.