It is easy to put the brakes back together wrong. In particular the 2
stiff return springs can be installed reversed such that the shank of
the spring hits the adjuster wheel and keeps the mechanism from ever
self adjusting. The 2 return springs are not identical. One is a mirror
image. They need to be installed in the right positions.

Ignore the notion that a difference in shoe lining length explains your
problems.

Mark

Jason Swan wrote:
>   Hi all,
>
> I just found the list after quite a few years with my Vanagon.  I've
> managed to muddle my way through most maintenance issues, but got
> stumped recently.  I replaced my rear brake shoes and wheel cylinders.
> The cylinders were shot, and I did the shoes because I had everything
> apart.  Anyway, after replacing the shoes, I bled the lines, and now I
> have to pump the brakes a few times before I get good braking.  In fact,
> the brakes act like they aren't adjusting at all.  No hand brake
> friction at all, and the brakes need to be pumped each time.  I did
> clean everything with brake cleaner and a wire brush when I had it
> apart, and I'm reasonably confident that the self-adjusting mechanism
> should work...
>
>