The 2nd gear brake band is like a big Omega (like the symbol for
ohms.)  It's a band that fits around a spinning drum in the
transmission.  The 2 little "feet" of the Omega are like this: One foot is
up against that adjusting bolt you are turning.  The other side is
connected to a hydraulic piston.  When those 2 feet get closer together, it
clamps the band down on the drum and makes it stop turning.  (This changes
the gear ratio via the magic planetary gear system.)  So when you adjust
the bolt inward, it causes the band to squeeze the drum sooner as the
piston (on the other side) actuates.  The band is metal with a friction
lining like brake or clutch material.  I guess the idea of the adjustment
is that this material may wear and affect the engagement of the band.

The whole complicated tighten/loosen/tighten routine...  I guess it is
supposed to get the band fully seated as a reference or starting point for
the adjustment.

Edward

At 06:33 PM 9/23/2004, you wrote:
>The nice folk at www.vanagonparts.com have a useful online article about
>servicing the Vanagon AT.
>
>http://www.vanagonparts.com/at_service.html
>
>I'd like to know more about the whys and wherefores of the second brake
>band adjustment procedure. Simply put, after loosening the locknut, you
>tighten the adjuster screw to 89 inch pounds, then loosen it, then
>retighten it to 44 inch pounds, then back it out 2-1/2 turns. Then
>secure it in that position using the locknut.
>
>If anyone can explain what's going on when we do this, I'd like to hear it.
>
>--
>Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
>71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
>84 Westphalia: "Mellow Yellow (The Electrical Banana)"
>KG6RCR