On my 82 air cooled, you dont have to remove the big nut to get the drum
off, 2 small bolts on the face of the drum to get it off, very easy.

I have had the wheels spin aswell when removing the big nut, chocked the
wheels and was able to stop the spinning and then get the nut off with
big cheater along with a chain-link fense post.

david

mjross81@SWBELL.NET wrote:
> Does anybody have any tips on removing the big nut on the rear axle of a
> Vanagon?  I'm trying to replace the rear brake shoes, and the big nut won't
> come off so that I can get at the brakes themselves.  I have tried a 5 foot
> cheater pipe, but all that does is spin the wheel (yes it is on the ground,
> in gear, with the emergency brake applied).  I am thinking about cutting the
> nut off, but I don't see them listed on any of the usual sites and am sure
> that my local FLAPS doesn't have them.