Date:         Thu, 21 May 1998 13:07:43 -0700
Reply-To:     Vernon Craddock <craddock@DVWS01.CAHWNET.GOV>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Vernon Craddock <craddock@DVWS01.CAHWNET.GOV>
Subject:      Rusty Drums & Hubs
Comments: To: Vanagon@vanagon.com

     Well, I decided to replace my rear brake shoes last night.  I did the
passenger side first.  I had a few choice words for that one stubborn spring...
Anyway that side came apart & went back together pretty quick & easy.  Next,
the driver's side.  Arghh! the drum wouldn't budge  Try as I might, I could not
get a good enough grip to move the thing.  An hour later, I finally found a way
to get a grip on the thing:

  (2) 16" 2x4 scraps plaved vertically on each side +
  (2) Pipe clamps horizontally behind the 2x4s.

Forms a nice box around the drum with good handles.  Still, the drum did not
want to come off.  After apply a lot of WD40 around the hub and lugs, I finally
noticed that If I pulled on one corner of the box at a time, the drum was
bending slightly and I could tell that the outer perimeter was free, and none
of teh luggs were stuck to the drum, but the center never moved.

  I got my girlfriend pulling on one side of the box, me on the other
alternating.  The drum was flexing back and forth and Finally BONG!!! popped
off.

  I used a wire brush to remove as much of the rust from the inner lip of the
drum as I could so this hopefully won't happen again.

Answer me the following questions please:

1. Is there a good way to prevent this from re-occurring?

2. Why were all of the old shoes heavily won on the Top, but not the bottom?

3. Why would one shoe (Driver side rear facing) be worn almost to the metal
(top edge 1mm) while the others were all at about 2.5mm on the top edge?

4. Is there any easy way to work that !@#$% adjuster to tension these?  Right
now my brake pedal drops to the floor on the first push.


Sorry about the length.

Thanks
Vernon Craddock