Yep, the solution was the 3 B's. Beer, Bentley and a Big hammer! Took
the right rear wheel off and gave the drum a few gentle whacks (didn't
want to crack the drum!) and after 3 or 4 taps the shoes broke free.

I feel much better now that the Syncro is good to go again. It is my
daily driver now. Thanks to Dennis for the fast response and thinking
on the same plane (the big hammer plane). Gotta love this Vanagon
group!

By the way, the frozen brake syndrome has happened on my 84 Westy as
well. Both Vanagons have good brakes and the 84 was redone last year,
so I know it is not anything more than moisture getting in there and
rusting the shoes to the drum. I live in a damp canyon and if I drive
thru a puddle with cold brakes and then go to park the van it will
sometimes freeze if not driven often. My neighbors old V4 Saab froze
the clutch the same way. I told him that we should fire it up with
clutch engaged and then drive up a hill in first gear. Told him to
floor it then hit the brakes, floor it again. On the 3rd or 4th try it
broke loose and he was amazed! You should have seen that old Saab
jerking up that hill! The neighbors must have thought we were such
idiots! Needless to say, I was having a really good laugh while this
was going on.

Keith O.
90 Westy Syncro
84 Westy "Brownie" SOLD!

On Apr 19, 2006, at 3:28 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:

> Try hitting the backing plates with a big hammer. The side shock will
> usually get the shoes to pop free.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of Keith Ovregaard
> Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2006 5:57 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: My Brakes are Frozen
>
> I need some help from you guys...
>
> My Syncro has been sitting for a few days after a big rain and the rear
> brake shoes froze to the drum. I tried braking it loose using granny
> and reverse, but no luck. It is REALLY frozen!
>
> Anybody have a solution?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Keith O.
> 90 Westy Syncro
> 84 Westy "Brownie" SOLD!
>
> PS Sorry for the cross-post
>
>