Scott says '85 and up have the improved parking brake ratchet mechanism
but in truth, there was a change during the model year.  My '85 (and
others I've seen) utilize the older version.  The later ones are better
in a couple of ways.  They are longer, have more teeth in the ratchets,
and have a plastic cover over the metal shaft where you grab them.

If you have the older version and have to remove it anyway, why not
replace it with the newer improved one?

Mike

Scott Daniel - Shazam wrote:
> There's not going to be any substitute for you or someone taking it apart
> and unsticking or re-putting back whatever is out of place.
> They are VERY good parking brake mechanisms, 85 and up, and  almost never
> fail in anyway.
> I'd unbolt it from the floor, remove one circlip to get a pin out, then the
> whole thing will be in your hands and you can do whatever it needs.
>   Unless it's been completely un-lubed since it left the factory in Germany
> in 85, and has had food and hair getting into it all these years, it should
> be a matter of cleaning, lubing, and re-assembly.
>    Vw has this trick of making the paw .......the thing engages the teeth of
> the ratchet flip over sometimes. Doesn't usually happen to an 85 and up
> vanagon parking brake mechanism though....
> It's usually quite fixable. Nothing complicated about that mechanism at
> all.
> Scott
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> AAG - Larry Word
> Sent: Friday, December 28, 2007 2:36 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: 1985 Vanagon - emergency/parking brake set-up
>
> Does anyone know how this thing works?....
>
> Mine has stopped ratcheting and will not stay up - what gives?
>
> Any insights would be appreciated.....
>
> any photos/notes from your past repairs even better!
>
> Thanks
>
> Larry
> Ga.
>