You should not normally have to play with the parking brake cable adjuster but there is a process for proper adjustment. Check for my write ups in the archives. You have to do the process correctly or the self-adjuster mechanism will not work. Also note my method of shimming the lower shoe rests to get better contact of the in-correct shoes to reach the drums. Yes, the original shoes had 6mm thick linings that were riveted. The aftermarket shoe linings are not as thick so they do not reach the drums at the bottom which will be obvious over time as only the top part of the shoes will contact the drum and wear. This also means less brake performance. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Jimmy Johnston
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2014 4:43 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: forgot to loosen the parking brake adjuster

Hello all,

Rather than tire talk, I'm feeling a brake discussion.  ;)

I replaced my rear shoes, drums and cylinders on my 1991 Gl.  I forgot to loosen the parking brake adjuster.  At this point, I have no parking brake as it pulls the full way up.  I assume I could loosen it, pull the drum, and adjust to spec.  Does that sound right...?

Jimmy
Wilmington, NC