Hi,
  I had a similar problem with a J**p Cherokee about a year ago.  There
is a flat bar about 6 " long and about 1 inch wide with a jog near each
end that offsets them slightly.  It transmits the force from one shoe to
the other and forces them apart when the hand brake is applied.  In my
case what I found was that the end grooves in this bar were worn so that
each of them was about a quarter of an inch deeper than it should be.
This prevented the shoes from moving out far enough.  I had never seen
this before and don't know what caused it.  Maybe your problem is of
this type.
  Good luck,
Larry A.

Zoran Mladen wrote:
> Hey folks,
>
> I am having a strange problem on my 84 GL.  The
> handbrake doesn't work very well.  On my late model
> Vanagon, as you pull the handbrake, you feel the
> tension build as you pull the handbrake higher.
>
> On my 84, it seems like there is no tension, and then
> it gets very hard to pull all of a sudden.  The brakes
> only hold marginally.
>
> I have removed both rear drums and watched the
> mechnaisms work as someone else pulled the handbrake.
> I have replaced both handbrake cables to no avail.  I
> also replaced both rear drums with new drums and
> installed new rear brakes.  I have tried adjustment as
> well - all that does is move the point at which the
> brake goes from pulling easy to pulling hard.
>
> I am stumped.  Any thoughts on this?  Anyone else
> experiencing this?
>
> Z
>
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