One more thing .....
Sometimes when the drum hasn�t been off for a while (or is worn down) the
brake shoes might catch a bit on the edge behind
Don�t force the drum off, you will only break something but try to loosen
the brake shoe adjuster through the little hole ( that might be covered with
a rubber plug ) on the back with a little screwdriver ....
You�ll pretty soon feel weather you�re turning it right or wrong since the
drum will drag if  you tighten them...
Then use the hammering method but be a little  gentle you might crack the
drum if hitting too close to the edge and put a bit of wood in between to
get a little bit softer impact, what you want to achieve is the drum
bouncing off....

Good Luck
Calle
-88 Vanagon
Mullhyttan, Sweden

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tim Demarest" <tim.demarest@POBOX.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2004 7:52 PM
Subject: Re: nut mm rear wheel

> Joe,
>
> STOP!...
>
> You don't need to get the big nut off to check the rear brakes (despite
> what the Bentley says).
>
> All you need to do is pull the drum... remove the two small (11mm?) bolts
> on the face of the drum, then persuade the drum to come loose. I used a
two
> pound sledgehammer and some patience.
>
> I've seen advice on the list that the drum can be loosened by putting a
> jack under it to apply some pressure, it sounds less likely to damage the
> drum than the hammer method, but I didn't try it (had my drums off before
I
> saw that post).
>
> I recently did a complete rebuild of the rear brakes on my '85 (new shoes,
> wheel cylinders, springs and retainers), and never touched the big nut.
>
> Tim
>
> At 09:51 AM 5/5/2004 -0700, you wrote:
> >ok something is weird i checked a nut size on a website it showed 30mm,
> >but I'm
> >almost sure my 85 is 45mm? I have the nut breaker brace to loosin or try
to ;)
> >anyone have this old stocker nut on thier 85? not the 30mm.
> >
> >my breaks desided to stick today in the rear so i need to open it up and
> >check it out,
> >man the bently diagrams are weak.
> >
> >Thanks,
> >Joe
> >85gl
>