On Thu, 7 May 1998, Backus, Brian G wrote:

> I've only done a rear brake job on my Vanagon once.  But you know it's
> been so long ago that I forgot,  How do you adjust the parking brake?
> And what is the proper way to remove the brake drums?

Look through the archives for brake drum removal; it was discussed just
yesterday or the day before.

As to the emergency brake, the cable from the e-brake handle terminates
in a threaded rod under the van.  Attached to the threaded rod is a small
cross piece; on each end of the cross piece another cable runs to each
rear drum.  After properly adjusting the brake shoes themselves, you
adjust the e-brake by tightening the nut that holds the cross piece onto
the threaded rod.  As I recall, you tighten the nut (with the e-brake
released) and then test your adjustment by pulling the e-brake handle up
a couple of clicks.  When you get to the point that you can't turn the
jacked-up wheel by hand, the adjustment's OK.

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Tom Young               young@sherlock.SIMS.Berkeley.EDU
Lafayette, CA  94549    '81 Vanagon
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