TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue May 30, 2006 8:56 pm

So which war do the stars go to tighten the brakes? I know one is left hand and one is right.....so would it be up on both to tighten them or down? Also is there a trick to getting in there w/ a screwdriver?

Tue May 30, 2006 9:07 pm

Ok, my dumb way is to remove the drum. Tighten the adjuster. Put the drum back on pump brakes, check rotation. If too loose, repeat, too tight back off and repeat.

Tue May 30, 2006 9:59 pm

Dogpilots way works. I've got one of those brake adjusting tools, it has an "L" bend on one end. I usually start with the drum off so I re-orient myself before I go the wrong way. Once the drum just fits over the shoes, I tighten the drum down and adjust the shoes the rest of the way out. On one side I flip the tool down, on the other its flip the tool up. It takes a little "feel" to know when its working right.

Tue May 30, 2006 10:51 pm

What Vanagon do you have that has 2 star adjusters?!?

Vanagons have self-adjusting rear brakes with 1 star wheel.

Tue May 30, 2006 11:03 pm

Quote: What Vanagon do you have that has 2 star adjusters?!?

Vanagons have self-adjusting rear brakes with 1 star wheel.

One for each wheel.

Wed May 31, 2006 7:28 am

..........My brake tool is too big so I am using a screw driver, but it is a pain in the ass. Just wanted to know which way to go so I dont waste my time and have to go back the other way. So to tighten them do I rotate them both up or down???? I am also borrowing a friends vacuum bleeder......much safer than dragging the pregnant wife out to pump the brakes again :)

Wed May 31, 2006 8:35 am

Karl wrote: Vanagons have self-adjusting rear brakes with 1 star wheel.

Because they are self-adjusting, if the adjusters are functioning properly and the shoes and springs are installed correctly, then adjusting the rear brakes is a simple matter of pumping the pedal a few times. :wink:

It is easy for someone to install the springs so that they interfere with the function of the adjusters, but if done correctly the rears never need adjusting.

Andrew

Wed May 31, 2006 12:08 pm

My $0.02:

Pull out the adjusters, unscrew them, clean them up, and apply a thin film of anti-seize. Make note of how the adjusting lever travels to automatically adjust. This will show you how you must turn it to adjust. Do only one side at a time so you have the other side as reference. They are mirror images of one another.

Automatic adjusters work when you pump the brakes traveling in reverse. but only if the threads move easily. A quarter mile with 25 pumps of the pedal ought to do it!

Good luck and best regards,
Ric

Wed May 31, 2006 12:56 pm

all was cleaned and new hardware installed when I did the brakes.....I'll re-bleed tonight when I have time

Wed May 31, 2006 8:55 pm

riceye wrote: Automatic adjusters work when you pump the brakes traveling in reverse. but only if the threads move easily. A quarter mile with 25 pumps of the pedal ought to do it!

If they are functioning correctly then they work going forward, reverse or standing still any time the pedal is depressed. Any time the shoes move out from the slave cylinder a significant amount (increased pedal travel) the adjuster arm will rotate the adjuster ring and tighten them up. It is irrelevant where you are, what direction you are going, or even whether or not you are moving. Obviously if the adjuster is screwed all the way in then it will take many pumps, but if they are close in adjustment to seating the shoes on the drums it shouldn't take more than a couple few pumps...

Andrew

Thu Jun 01, 2006 7:33 am

all is good. Did the reverse/ebrake thing and used a vacuum bleeder to and they are nice and firm.

Thu Jun 01, 2006 4:42 pm

Congrats!!!

Be good and have fun -

Regards,
Ric

Tue Sep 01, 2009 9:49 pm

On my buyers report they have "rear brakes need adjusting" 45$. I am doing research now to figure out how to do it and came across the information here about the self adjusting brakes. In the PO records he shows getting new rear brake drums and wheel cylinder kit in 2004. Just trying to run down a solution for the "rear brakes need adjusting" line on my buyers inspection. Thanks for any insight or info you guys can lend. 8)

If anyone knows a good diy on adjusting rear breaks or a thread that outlines the process with photos possibly that would be awesome. I have the Bentley and will dig through it for the job now.

O and the brakes feel fine to me, they aren't tight up high necessarily but they aren't in the floor either.

Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:28 pm

Andrew A. Libby wrote: Karl wrote: Vanagons have self-adjusting rear brakes with 1 star wheel.

Because they are self-adjusting, if the adjusters are functioning properly and the shoes and springs are installed correctly, then adjusting the rear brakes is a simple matter of pumping the pedal a few times. :wink:

It is easy for someone to install the springs so that they interfere with the function of the adjusters, but if done correctly the rears never need adjusting.

Andrew

I'm assuming I just need to make sure all the springs and what not are connected properly. I wonder why the shop would tell me the rear breaks need adjusting and quote me a price for the job if in actuality they need to make sure the self adjusters are working properly.

Wed Jun 14, 2017 7:21 am

Andrew A. Libby wrote: ...they are self-adjusting, if the adjusters are functioning properly and the shoes and springs are installed correctly, then adjusting the rear brakes is a simple matter of pumping the pedal a few times. :wink:

It is easy for someone to install the springs so that they interfere with the function of the adjusters, but if done correctly the rears never need adjusting.

...what about this statement?? Should not my rears just tweek themselves to proper adjustment?

[just an aside, do the auto-adjusters also LOOSEN the adjustment if it is too tight?]

Wed Jun 14, 2017 7:38 am

no the adjusters are a one way cog, there's little ramps and steps on the adjuster wheel..

and they will adjust themselves but if you start out toooo looose.. and it really won't seem that way.. they'll take foreever to self adjust.. so you want them to where you can 'just' put the drum on by hand..
be gentle with the adjuster metal finger/lever I hold it off the cog when adjusting.. if it breaks. you need new brakes.