Emergency brake/ rear brake adjustment help

Double7Westy

I used the search function to try to get my answer to this question but didn't see anything with pictures or detailed steps and my bentley manual hasn't come in so I was hoping someone could help me as the idea of my bus rolling down the hill is less than appealing and Id like to fix it.
Basically I pull my handbrake all the way out and it still doesn't hold the whole bus. The general consensus i can see from searching is that the rear brakes need to be adjusted before doing this to get optimum results.
Anyone have any advice or pictures they could help me out with?
I was hoping I'd be able to tackle this issue in a couple hours tomorrow morning.
Thanks

SGKent · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 3:05 pm Post subject:

adjust the rear brakes first and see if that helps.
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Tom Powell · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 3:26 pm Post subject:

often the star adjusters need some TLC

Aloha
tp

busdaddy · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2015 3:27 pm Post subject:

Adding the year of your bus as well as the model and any pertinant modifications to your signature line would make helping you much easier Wink

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oscarsnapkin · Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:43 am Post subject:

I'm having a similar problem. I replaced both brake cables, cleaned/lubed adjusters, adjusted brakes, adjusted cable tension, but still absolutely no parking brake whatsoever. There is some tension now when I pull the lever, but it does absolutely nothing as far as holding the Bus. The shoes that are on the Bus are old, but still have plenty of lining. Parking brake lever and spreader seem to be in working order. Any thoughts? It's a major PITA since my driveway is on an incline and I have to reach out the driver's door and place a chock behind the wheel while making sure my foot doesn't slip off the brake pedal. I grabbed this photo from one of Aeromech's posts. Is this the correct setup for a '77? I wanted to compare it to mine to make sure everything is installed properly. Thanks, and happy 4th.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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jmstu76 · Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2015 8:20 am Post subject:

That is not a pic of a 77. That would be a 70 or earlier.
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1967250s · Samba Member Joined: May 02, 2007 Posts: 2137

Check the cables are not frozen in the rear tubes. Also, you may have to tighten up the cables up front, where they connect to the puller rods.
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'72 Elm Green Deluxe

wihr · Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2015 12:06 pm Post subject:

What about the adjusters at the base of the arm inside the cabin ?
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mikedjames · Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2015 1:08 pm Post subject:

That rear hub picture looks like my late-73 bus . Or close enough.

The handbrake cable adjusters are under the front of the bus on later handbrakes.

The trick is to slacken the handbrake cables fully then adjust the star adjusters on the rear drums so the shoes are just touching (procedure in Bentley and other places) and then readjust the handbrake cables so the handle comes out 7 clicks and the handbrake is on.

If the handbrake cables are rusted they may simply lose strands and unwind in a shower of rusty strands of wire when you pull on the handbrake, instead of putting tension on the brake shoes.

It is also possible the brake shoes are glazed and need some sand paper treatment to roughen their surface.
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SGKent · Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2015 1:16 pm Post subject:

1977 lacks this clip that holds the spring to the bar. The ones available for other years do not fit.

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kreemoweet · Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2015 2:10 pm Post subject:

timvw7476

If you have fresh cables, I would think you aren't adjusting the stars
tight enough, I like to leave the wheel/tire on, get under and snug the
stars up til I can just get the tire to move, dragging on the drum a bit,
then two clicks per star & check the wheel spins "freely", lower the bus to
the ground and mess with the other ends of the cables, tighten them
til the handle grabs good at 5 clicks out. It settles at 6-7 clicks within days.


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