Rear brake shoe replacement

Hi
When you backed them off 3 turns, was there any drag left when turning the wheel? Does the parking brake lever extend to the fullest extent?

Let me know.

Joe

Thank you, I appreciate your speedy reply. I meant 3 clicks of the brake adjuster, not 3 turns. There is very little drag detected as the axle is being turned at the same time, but I can hear the drum making light contact with the shoes. When I removed the drum after rolling down the driveway, there were about 10 marks, about an 1/8" wide, along the length of both shoes on both sides. The problem may be due to the high spots on each shoe. I could possibly adhere a piece of 240 grit wet and dry paper to the inside drum to span the contact surface, turn the wheel by hand and hopefully wear the high spots down to make 100% contact with the drum. The high spots may only be about 1/64" high or less. As for the parking brake lever next to the driver's seat, it was pulled up 7 notches and as far as I could get it.
I hope I have answered your immediate questions to give you a bit of insight into the problem.

Gary.

Hi Gary,

Honestly, the shoes aren't the problem. The lever / cable needs adjusted. If you are pulling the lever to the end of its travel, the cables are too loose. I don't have specifics on a truck from VW because of where I'm located. However, I am going to give you directions for a 2006 VW car that should be very similar. You will need to remove the cover around the brake pedal lever to access the adjuster. Also, confirm that both cables are properly connected to the caliper. If one is off, neither side will work. The attached pics correlate with the directions.

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Parking Brake, Adjusting
Vehicle Brakes and Traction Control Parking Brake System Service and Repair Procedures Parking Brake, Adjusting
PARKING BRAKE, ADJUSTING
Parking Brake, Adjusting

A new adjustment is necessary only after replacing brake cables, brake calipers or brake discs.

- Depending on the center console version, either remove only the cupholder, the rear cover or the entire center console.

- Operate foot brake forcefully at least three times.

- Apply the parking brake 3 times and then release.

The parking brake lever must go back into the rest position by itself under the first detent.

Parking brake lever in released position.

- Tighten adjustment nut - arrow (close-up) -...


pic 1


- ...until levers - 1 - on brake calipers lift off from stop - 2 -.


pic 2


- The distance - a - to stop - 2 - at left and right brake pads together must not fall short 1 mm and not exceed 3 mm.

- Check whether wheels turn freely.

Due to the automatic rear brake adjuster, there is no need to adjust the parking brake after making initial adjustment.

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Let me know if this helps.

Joe

Thanks again. The truck adjuster is totally different. I'll attach a couple of PDF files to let you see what I'm up against. The handbrake cable is not adjustable at the lever and all adjustment takes place under the vehicle after the shoe adjustment has taken place. A picture would help, but I can't upload PDF files. Thanks for your help, but it looks as if I will have to work my way through slowly again and hopefully get it to work.

Hi:

Sorry I couldn't do more. However, wherever you adjust the cable is where I would focus. If the lever reaches the full extent of its travel, the cables are still too loose to work properly.

If you get a chance, let me know how it turns out for you.

Take care,
Joe

Thanks Joe, will do.

Happy to help.