Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2022 22:16:21 -0600
Reply-To: OlRivrRat <OlRivrRat@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: OlRivrRat <OlRivrRat@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Adjusting Parking/Emergency Brake
In-Reply-To: <1316806419.1411033.1661979088986@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Count the Clicks from Off to Full On & Report ~
> On 31 Aug , 2022, at 2:51 PM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET> wrote:
>
> I just viewed an interesting YouTube: How brake adjusters work for Vanagon Rear Drum Brakes
>
> | | |
> How brake adjusters work for Vanagon Re...
> |
>
>
> The author is saying that to adjust rear drum brakes, the method is to put car in Reverse and pull up on the handbrake until you stop. Do it a couple times. This, if needed, causes the "ratchet gear" to move up a notch or so, effectively providing the adjustment. Interesting....
>
> I am "super easy" on my brakes on all vehicles; I anticipate the road ahead; my brakes generally last double of expected mileage, at least. I can't remember the last time I had brake service, but they are all working just fine; good stopping power, no veering. But with almost 300K on chassis, I think it might be reasonable to assume that some things have stretched or worn a little. The thread on the e-brake rod is a 1.0 mm pitch. Thus, one turn should tighten things by .040 inch. My gut feeling is that if I try one turn or so, I won't mess things up too badly and may solve my issue.
>
> On Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at 12:38:22 PM PDT, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
> My '85 has the smooth cylindrical metal handle, no finger grips; also, it =
> has a molded elastomer boot with corrugations. (I've seen pictures of later=
> model setups....no, that is not mine.)
>
> On Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at 12:28:30 PM PDT, Mark Drillock <madvws=
> @cox.net> wrote: =20
> =20
> When everything is in good shape with the rear brakes no periodic=20
> adjustment of the hand brake should be needed.
>
> Which parking brake lever/handle do you have?
>
> During the 85 model year a much improved one was phased in.
>
> The 85+ later one has a hand grip piece molded for fingers.
>
> That is just an easy way to identify the later version, the other=20
> improvements it offers are more significant.
>
>
> Mark
>
>
> On 8/31/2022 12:15 PM, Richard Koerner wrote:
>> I am getting ready for a 2,500 mile Vanagon trek from San Diego to Northe=
> rn Oregon and back.=C2=A0 (Tintop, '85, manual, stock brakes, 292K miles). =
> My parking brake seems to need adjustment.=C2=A0 Crawling under, of course =
> I see the yoke with a solid rod from parking brake lever, and then diverges=
> to two solid rods which go to rear drum brakes.=C2=A0 Yes....I see adjusti=
> ng nut and threads....they are all rust free.=C2=A0 I investigated The Samb=
> a.=C2=A0 But am still unclear.=C2=A0 Do I just move the adjusting nut a few=
> threads?=C2=A0 Or does the "magic" happen inside of the Rear brake drums?=
> =C2=A0 I am scheduled to do all 4 wheel brake job with new everything (but =
> keeping everything stock, no Big Brake stuff); my mechanic (even though he =
> has all the parts in boxes in his shop) has been under the weather lately a=
> nd rebuild might be a few months away; of course he would do a premier inst=
> all and adjustment of all components in system.=C2=A0 But in the meantime, =
> I'd like to get things adjusted properly; as it is, it takes a full 4 click=
> s on lever to make things happen, and they don't feel that strong (will avo=
> id parking in San Francisco)...just barely works on a slope of any degree.
> =20
>
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