Thanks, Mark.� I'll double check the springs.� I also appreciate the  
info about the brake shoes.� I suspected that was a red herring.

   --
Jason SwanQuoting mark drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET>:

> 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...
>>
>>