From the backing plate you push the wheel down to tighten, up to loosen. If the brakes are set up correctly including the hand brake cable they will adjust themselves. The cables get adjusted while the drums are off so you can set the lever gap. Check the archives for past articles including shimming out the lower shoe rests. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Mike Riley
Sent: Monday, December 22, 2014 6:55 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: adjusting rear brakes!

anyone have a mnemonic for remembering which way adjusts the brake shoes out and is it the same on both sides I always get it wrong.
mike