I didn't come up with this, but it was handy enough that I clipped and
saved it to my notepad:

"Drum brake adjustment: 281 609 801 B is the adjuster
for the left side, 802 B for the right side per ETKA (all '80-92 2WD
and Syncro).  The threads are opposite hand.

From the way the internal activating lever points in the parts
diagram, rotating the side of the star nearest the backing plate down
will decrease brake clearances."

Jim

On Fri, May 13, 2016 at 9:07 AM Jim Arnott <jrasite@eoni.com> wrote:

> Actually, the way self-adjusters work is based on the rotation of the shoe
> assembly when one brakes while backing. To adjust, back slowly and tap the
> brakes half a dozen times. (At least that's the way American self-adjusters
> work. I assume that VW’s are the same. I’m sure Ken will correct me if I’m
> wrong.)
>
> <
> http://www.brakeandfrontend.com/drum-brake-self-adjusters-understanding-these-ancient-devices/
> >
>
> Further research indicates that VW & Japanese drum brakes self-adjust by
> parking brake application. (Google is your friend.)
>
> <
> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2278383/fixing-drum-brakes-by-backing-up
> >
>
>
> Jim
>
>
> > On May 13, 2016, at 6:15 AM, John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > Aren't these self adjusting, by pumping the brakes multiple times?
> >
> > John
> > On May 13, 2016 08:02, "Don Hanson" <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >> Can anyone suggest an easy way to keep straight which direction to
> rotate
> >> the brake-adjuster wheels on our vans?  I always seem to get confused
> while
> >> moving from r-side to l-side wheel.  Not the easiest drums to adjust,
> are
> >> they?
> >>
>
> “All journeys end when we reach our destination but the journeying remains
> a thing apart, unique unto itself. Most of us make life’s journeys without
> understanding that the journeying is a separate thing.”
> Bob Hoover - The Grendel Saga
>