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Wed Apr 18, 2012 8:02 pm

I am getting rid of my RGBs and have the long axles and tubes. As far as the brakes go what combo works best.
Can I use my backing plates (made to fit) with the small nut RGB drums and shoes with my e-brake cables?
I did try the search regarding this but after 25 pages I ran out of steam. So, anyone with the best rear brake options to use the biggest brakes possible, please.

gordo.

Thu Apr 19, 2012 9:32 am

You can use the early rear Type 2 drums with Beetle backing plates and shoes, but there is some machining of the lips required.
The ideal scenario for a straight axle on a bus is to run Type 3 brakes. They are about 20mm larger diameter than small nut bus drums, and somewhat wider.
Early Type 3 wide 5 drums are available aftermarket, as are shoes and hardware but the backing plates can be a little tough to source sometimes.

Tue Jul 24, 2012 6:40 pm

I am about to try the same thing on my 58. If anyone has any info on this I would greatly appreciate it.

Tue Jul 24, 2012 7:44 pm

Use 4 lug type three brakes and 4-5 lug adapters. Cheap brakes, and the adapters act as the perfect spacer for tire clearance to the fender lip and spring plate.

It gets no simpler than that.

EDIT: What wheels/tires and what year bus?

Tue Jul 24, 2012 11:40 pm

type three backing plates are becoming harder to find now, especially up here in the frozen tundra of the north.
Type 3 brakes would be perfect though, because (other than the backing plates) all other parts are readily available new, even wide five drums. They are also the largest available.(so I've been told)

I have a line on a set of thing brakes, just waiting to hear back.

Gordo.

Wed Jul 25, 2012 6:06 am

cdennisg wrote: EDIT: What wheels/tires and what year bus?

This is the important question as it determines what brakes you can run.

If running stock Bus rims, Thing drums are the way to go. They take all the 4-lug brake parts and there are no adapters needed. Come with 12M lugs (which are fine), but can be drilled out to 14M if you want.

4 lug drums and adapters may be cheaper though. If you spin a drum while on a road trip either setup is going to be a lot easier to find than a machined down early Bus drum or any Type3 stuff.

Wed Jul 25, 2012 2:47 pm

thanks Aaron, I have a set of type 3 backing plates and I just ordered some wide five drums - I am planning to run aftermarket wheels. :D

Wed Jul 25, 2012 11:06 pm

WideFive wrote: cdennisg wrote: EDIT: What wheels/tires and what year bus?

This is the important question as it determines what brakes you can run.

If running stock Bus rims, Thing drums are the way to go. They take all the 4-lug brake parts and there are no adapters needed. Come with 12M lugs (which are fine), but can be drilled out to 14M if you want.

4 lug drums and adapters may be cheaper though. If you spin a drum while on a road trip either setup is going to be a lot easier to find than a machined down early Bus drum or any Type3 stuff.

I would think that late type 3 drums are nearly as easy to find as thing drums. Maybe easier. I can't see myself ever bothering with thing drums, since they don't gain any braking capability, and they are expensive. If I were to go any other route than type 3 drums, it would be late beetle stuff with adapters. Same brakes as a thing, and there are panhandlers selling them on street corners. (well, maybe not, but they are easy to find)

Wed Jul 25, 2012 11:27 pm

I guess it just comes down to me not being a fan of adapters. Just seems like a back woods hillbilly way of getting things done. Easier, simpler, safer ways to get the same result.

More than one way to get the job done and everyone has their own way of doing things that's all...

Full Disclosure: I carry a 4-wide five adapter in my spare parts :wink:

Wed Jul 25, 2012 11:33 pm

I guess I have just accepted adapters as a normal way of life. I've got some hillbilly in me. :D