Absolutely, take 'em off.  Mine have been off for 6 months to allow
different wheels. No problems. Water and dirt enters anyway.  I think they
may have been there to prevent the brake drums from falling off on the
assembly line. Once the wheels are installed, they can't fall off.

Gary
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ed Shultz" <eshultz@GENUITY.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2001 10:47 AM
Subject: Urgent Question about Brake Drums

> Hi All,
>
> I'm installing my new 15" Passat rims on my '87 Syncro. The rears wont fit
> properly because of the 2 hex screws on the outside face of the brake
> drums. Should I just remove them? According to the Bentley manual, it
> appears they don't do anything. If I remove them, will this allow water
and
> dirt to enter the brake drum area?
>
> My wheels are off, please help.
>
> -Ed
> Ed Shultz
> 1987 Syncro GL
>