In regards to the rear wheel cylinders, the original equipment were ATE.
These were unique in that they contained a spring to push the pistons
against the shoes. The cylinders now supplied by the dealer are usually made
in Brazil units that do not have this spring. Why pay more to get less.
Without the spring, the pistons will sometimes creep in away from the shoe
causing that low pedal until you pump effect. Otherwise I see little
difference in cylinder brands.

One thing about the OEM shoes is the thickness of the lining. The lining is
a riveted lining a full 6mm thick. Most aftermarket shoes have bonded
linings of 4 or 5mm thickness. Thus the curve is not correct to match up
with the drum. Add that to the fact both the adjuster and cylinder are on
top and you get the poor shoe contact. If the drums are worn the problem is
even worse. That is where the shims on the lower shoe mounts help. For those
that work on early busses or bug note that the lower shoe mounts are
actually the adjusters. In fact the early star adjusting nuts and shoe rest
will fit the Vanagon.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
John Rodgers
Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 11:16 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Rear Brake Confusion - Dennis Haynes

Dennis,

I post this to the List so everyone can benefit.

I have the weak rear brake problem on my 88 GL. Only a small area at the
end of the brake shoes contacts the drum. The drums are fairly new, -
less than a year old - and the shoe lining is nice and thick. But it is
obvious the shoes are contracting the drum only on the upper ends. In
reading your response to Don Hanson regarding a cheap brake upgrade -
you listed part numbers for brake shoes and a hardware kit for same. You
also mentioned ATE wheel cylinders but gave no part number - only
commenting the dealer's are not a choice here. Maybe I'm being a bit
dense here - but what did that mean? Which specific ATE wheel cylinder
is are you addressing .... 1) a Vanagon wheel cylinder? ... or other?
2)  and what year?? Does this change relocate the adjusters?

Would you mind going into it a bit more as to what is  to be
accomplished when all this is done? Clearly the adjusters and the
cylinders being at the same end of the shoe only allows one end of the
shoe to contact the drum. Please describe what is happening and what is
being accomplished in the changeover.

Thanks,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver