Rear brake star adjuster is stuck

[busmania]

Im trying to redo my rear brakes. Fronts are done and all new brake lines have been installed. I have it a road block. I cannot get the star adjuster to move on one of the sides. I got the screw part out, but I cannot get the star adjuster out to clean so that it actually turns. I have blasted it with PB blaster. What can I do? Should I heat it up? Thanks.

[El_Güero]

Diesel, and let it rest for days, take a dull chissel and try making it twist by if not then start hitting it right in the stars trying to pull it out, most likely you will need to get a replacement.

[atmellovw]

Find a bolt of the same diameter and thread pitch, but longer, and try screwing it in there until it bottoms out and then keep going and see if you can break it free. Maybe a little heat would help as well? When you reinstall them (or new ones), put some anti-sieze on them and put the rubber plugs on the holes in the backing plates if you don't already have them.
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1972 Westy ("Bubbles") - Pastel White - 1700(1974 MT) - Dual Solex

[SGKent]

IMHO parts are cheap but you have to pull the drum. Best to replace them than destroy the backing plate. If you contact OwVeeDub there near you they may be able to get them to you in a day or two cheaply. I just replaced mine - same problem but PO destroyed the backing plate trying to turn them.
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Steve aka Merlin the Wrench

formerly Steve's Racing and Engine Blueprinting. Wrenching since 1967.

bdamico on GF wrote

[busmania]

Drums are off. Im replacing all the brake components. I have a busdepot order going through tomorrow so Ill probably just add one to that. O wait, I have a parts bus for things like this! Just have to get the damn thing out first.

[busdaddy]

A BIG pair of vice grips and a little heat have always done it for me, beating on them just breaks off single tabs in my experience.
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Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Wanted, 68-73 westy OG plaid curtains, singles OK.

[77VWBusDude]

Doesn't hurt to take the drum off and clean when you're adjusting them anyways, so it's not that important to me. I just yank on the shoe and turn the screw part to adjust them.
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'77 Bus auto EFI(stock)

[dan macmillan]

SIMPLE, If you have access to oxy-acet torch, heat the outer part then turn the starwheel while pulling it out. Do not directly heat the starwheel.

Make sure to use a lube such as neverseize on the threads and the starwheel when assembling.
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[DurocShark]

MAP gas works well too. You don't need an OA rig.

MAP gas is the yellow can at WallyWorld, or the BORG of your choice. Cheap and works wonders.

BE SURE TO CLEAN FIRST!

Grease and gunk can catch fire. Clean things up before heating.
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[busdaddy]

Oh yeah, and make sure all the brake cleaner has evaporated before applying any flames

You'll only have to do that once.
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Wanted, 68-73 westy OG plaid curtains, singles OK.

[DurocShark]

[fusername]

I have an adjuster that sticks every time, and I do my brakes every month or two, so its not rust. Make sure the outside of the star is smooth, and the inside of the bore where it rides is smooth. I think mine needs to be honed w/ something, as adjusting that star is always impossible.
figured I would mention it so you dont have to disassemble it again next time.
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[SGKent]

fuser name - use that aluminum colored anti-seize and they will last awhile. Also get a tool for it if you don't have one already. The brake tools work better than a screwdriver.
_________________
Steve aka Merlin the Wrench

formerly Steve's Racing and Engine Blueprinting. Wrenching since 1967.

bdamico on GF wrote

[fusername]

I have the tool and antiseized the heck out of em, nothign makes a difference, so I figure it must be the backing plate. 80 bucks a pop is way too much for me tho. heck its even a brand new star
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[email protected]
Need something custom bent up? shoot me an email, maybe we can make it work!

FORSALE: Thrust cut T4 and 1.9 main bearings

[El_Güero]

some people are very reluctant to try anything but heat first, ive had people walking in my shop shouting "heat that mothaffff***r"just to be surprise that a litle pascience and right technique would do the job,"man you gotta cool down first", some times heating works best, sometimes heating warps and ruins things,

[Slowlow]

I know this is an old post....
But if you screw the adjuster all the way in you can usually KEEP turning it tight and it will break the star loose.

I have a BIG Flat bladed pry bar I like to use, 99% of the time it breaks them loose.
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