Don I have a drum brake adjusting tool  that has one end bent at about 75
degrees for this job.

Probably still at your local FLAPS.

Good luck.

On 6/14/07, Mark Drillock <mdrillock@cox.net> wrote:
>
> The rear brake adjusters are mirror images of each other, including
> threading direction. You need to turn BOTH sides UP to loosen! Looking
> at it from the back side access hole that is.
>
>
> As I have mentioned here before, it is very common for one or both sides
> to be assembled wrong, preventing the self adjuster on one or both sides
> from working. The 2 stiff return springs are not identical. If mixed up
> the adjuster star wheel can be blocked from turning by the arm of the
> spring hook. Both springs should be installed so the long arms are DOWN.
> Carefully examine the springs to make sure no part touches the adjuster.
> There is supposed to be one pair of mirror image springs on each side.
> If someone mixed spring parts from both sides then it may be necessary
> to sort them out
>
> Mark
>
> Don Hanson wrote:
> > Hi,  "84 van, no power brakes, manual tranny"
> >  I did the Archive search, found lots of info pertaining to the rear
> brakes.  Wanted to make certain and clarify a few aspects of this procedure
> before I get in there again and screw something up, like I have sometimes
> been known to do.
> >  I had the wheels off yesterday and could not get either drum off, nor
> could I get any traction on the adjusting wheels (Star-Adjusters?) to back
> off the shoes.
> >   What I did  so far was to tap around the drums, which seemed to loosen
> up.  Prying with a screwdriver against the backing plate, you could see some
> slight movement around the lug bolts, but it felt like the shoes were
> holding the drum.  E-brake cable was released..The drivers side brake shoes
> are tighter than the passenger side, significantly.   I could just turn the
> drum by hand, after banging around on it some.Too tight, the way I've
> always adjusted drum brakes..
> >   So, from the archives, after perusing many posts, I found one saying
> you CAN 'fudge' the adjuster wheels for the brake shoes with a
> screwdriver..But for the life of me, I can't find one that works..Do I need
> to bend one up somehow in order to reach in there and turn the adjuster
> wheel?  Also, the direction of rotation to move the shoes?.
> >   .From an archive post (Bently says nothing) I get that *to loosen the
> shoes you rotate the right wheel's adjuster upwards and the left one
> downwards*..So, taking the left side wheel:  I bend up some implement that
> will reach into the little hole without hitting the other supporting
> structure.  I try to locate the star wheel adjuster, probably by feel, since
> I can't seem to fit even a trouble light back there...and then using the
> edge of the access hole as s fulcrum, I lift my adjusting implement, causing
> the tip of said implement to rotate the adjuster downwards?  And the
> opposite on the passenger side?
> >   I don't have the capability to loosen the axle nut..no impact wrench
> or large breaker bar...(broke all those trying to get off my Beetles axle
> nuts..After unsuccessfully bashing around (carefully) back there yesterday,
> I re-assembled and drove some.  Got some 'squealing, squelching' noises from
> the rear driver side brakes when stopping..Also, after tapping back there, I
> found a pile of brake dust under the drum, indicating that indeed, I have a
> dragging brake there...
> >   So today, I want to try again..but before I spend all day doing it
> wrong, or devising a difficult way to accomplish a simple task, I thought
> I'd ask...Special tool to access the adjuster? and Which way does what with
> them?
> >   Thanks,
> >   Don Hanson
> >
>

--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
www.crescentbeachguitar.com