If you look at the lower shoe mount carefully you will see that it is
actually three pieces. The fork part that the shoe rests in is removable.
You may need heat as it is rusted in place. For those that know VW's before
self adjusting brakes will remember the star wheels. Those wheels and screws
fit perfectly into the lower mount for anyone that wants to make bottom of
the shoes adjustable.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Troy
Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2009 4:53 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Rear Brake Shoe Design Questions

I read this post about spacers with some interest, as I'm just getting ready
to install new shoes, slave cylinders and drums. I am using the ATE brand,
and can say that the shoes echo the shape of the drum exactly. However,
since the upper part of the shoe moves relative to the stationary bottom
half, the contact is definitely not going to be uniform. I have e-mailed
Dennis (no response) and asked about specific types of spacers (a picture
would be helpful). Just I'm curious what kind of spacer or where they are
purchased is required. Not sure how much clearance there is with new shoes,
and how much of a spacer could be worked in. Certainly do not want to put
any old spacer there considering these are brakes afterall!

Cheers,

Troy

<<I read of details regarding spacers (Dennis Haynes) one could install
at anchor end of the brake shoes. My understanding is that this would
help ensure more of the shoe contacts the drum.

Does adding spacers accomplish something similar to arcing the shoes?
(not done much these days from what I've read)

Were VW shoes shaped to fit the drum better than aftermarket shoes?

If so, would one be wise to install these spacers when installing new
shoes and hardware?>>