Let me second Mark's comment.  I recently had a similar problem with a
J**p.  After replacing both rusted cables, the parking brake still did
nearly nothing and everything looked fine.  Eventually I noticed the
bars that transmit the force from one shoe to the other were very worn.
The notches in the ends were nearly a quarter inch deeper than they
should have been.

Larry A.

mark drillock wrote:
>
> You should remove the drums and look at the brake hardware. The parking
> brake cable moves a lever that is attached to the rear most brake shoe
> on each side. Check for a problem with that lever or with the end of the
> self adjuster that contacts the lever when the parking brake is used.
>
> I have recently seen 2 Vanagons with failures in this area. I used to
> think it was trouble free.
>
> Mark
>
> Steven Dodson wrote:
> >
> > Hallo, me again...
> > My new 87 Syncro GL's parking brake has been slipping and I've had to pull
> > the brake lever excessively high to get little improved grip. I looked
> > underneath and the p-brake adjuster nut is bottomed out, no more
> > adjustment. I thought the brake pads must be bad but they looked great
> > through the inspection hole. The brake adjustment looks good also, there is
> > almost 1mm clearance with brakes off.
> > What am I missing?
> >
> > Seems I should be able to hold the vehicle on a slight incline with the p-
> > brake. Right? Anyone?
> >
> > The curse of Inga continues...