Self adjusting brakes?

[seanpcook]

Hello peeps,

I'm replacing front wheel cylinders. The rod that adjusts the brake shoe position has two adjusting stars connected to it. When I move the stars I don't notice any movement in the brake shoes. I'm wondering if my brakes are self-adjusting, or if I should continue trying to adjust them manually with the stars. If so, which star should be used, the top or the bottom star, or both? What direction would push the shoes out or in? Is it the standard righty tighty, lefty loosey scheme?

Thanks in advance for your help.

SC

[63beryl]

You have to adjust them both manually. The threads are righty tighty, but you need to think about the direction you want/need the bolt to turn. The star adjusters need turned the opposite direction you need the bolt to turn. After a few turns you can see thru the drums if the pads/bolts are moving the direction you want.

[glutamodo]

Front brakes with a "rod that adjusts the brake shoe position"?? That's a new one, there should only be a solid block where the adjusters fit into. Or, an "anchor block" as the manual calls it.

don't forget about proper alignment of the angled adjusters.

[seanpcook]

Thanks glutamodo and bedebtfree for the insight.

The "rod" that I mentioned is actually the "anchor block" and not a rod at all, so thank you for the correction in terminology.

So, if I understand correctly, if I need the shoes to move outward then I should turn the adjusting star to the right? And to retract the bolt I would turn the star leftward?

Also, I just realized that I posted this thread in the 59-67 beetle forum by mistake, because my ride is a 69. However, the diagrams you've posted are identical to what I'm seeing, so your advice is still totally on target.

Thanks again for the help.

Kind regards,
SC

[glutamodo]

Yeah, I looked in your previous threads to find out yours was 1969. Didn't even notice the forum was wrong.

As for the adjusters, I hold my hand up by the drum and imagine it could pass through the drum and grab the threaded portion (not the adjusting star) with my fingers pointing towards the anchor block. Then I imagine twisting that in or out (to loosen or tighten) - and twist my wrist in that direction, same as opening or closing the lid on a soda bottle. The desired motion of that adjusting star is opposite of that twist. (and the other adjuster for that same drum will be in the other direction from first one, of course) This little "wrist twist" trick is how I've always done it and it only takes a second or two for me to get situated with it.

-Andy

[EVfun]

It would be nice if there was a good self adjusting set-up for the Beetle brakes, but most self adjusting where not really that good. I wish VW would have kept the single adjuster outside the backing plate like the early Beetle cable brake system used (also used on a number of Datsuns.) That is easy to use.

Alas, you get to adjust them yourself, reaching into the brake area with a screwdriver 2 places at each wheel. On my '64 I have to take the wheels off to do it (the wide 5 pattern bugs have the adjuster hole in the drum instead of the backing plate.) Each shoe should be adjusted for slight drag and then back off a click. If the adjusters are stiff or frozen you have to take the drum off to clean and lightly grease the adjuster parts. Don't force it, you can break the teeth off the adjuster wheels.

[Joel]