My guess:

If the fluid was a bit low to begin with, the act of removing the drums and
fiddling with the braking mechanisms allowed the wheel cylinders to draw
further out than normal, thereby sucking up more fluid.  If the level was
low in the M/C, it could have introduced air into the system.

As a general rule, I bleed the brakes every time I even *think* about
working on them.  The Vanagon seems to be particularly sensitive to air in
the system, low fluid level, and thin pads/drums - you can really feel it at
the pedal.

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy "Klaus"
Santa Barbara, CA

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Lee Roesner
Sent: Sunday, March 12, 2000 7:32 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: rear brake shoes

I just installed new brake shoes in my 91 and now find that the brake
pedal goes to the floor (and just barely brakes). Need to pump 2 or 3
times to get it to normal position. The emergency brake now only travels
about half of what it did before so I wouldn't think I was too far off
adjustment. I was going to bleed the brakes today but I am wondering how
air got in there in the first place...??? Any clues out there?

Lee

--
Lee Roesner
PARADIGM Graphic Design & Web Development
Northbrook Office 847-509-8704
   Fax: 847-480-5701
Home Office: 815-385-2969
   Fax: 815-385-2994
PORTFOLIO: http://www.roesner.net/vw