71 rear brake reoval help

[Kymar]

Ok, I give up. Been at this for a few hours now and cant figure out how to remove the last part (backing plate) of the brakes. It looks like the whole thing should come off without remmoving ebrake line, but something is stopping it near where the brake pad adjusting nut is at. I thought it was a screw, but it looks more like a rivet. How the hell do I get this thing off?

[SGKent]

the adjuster block is a part of the backing plate and is riveted on with a really heavy steel rivets (and or spot welds). The factory then ran a bead of sealer around the axle flange. the whole backing plate can be held on with it pretty strong.

If yo use a late 251 backing plate you have to also use the new style axle spacers or the drums will rub.
_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[Westfalia73]

[kreemoweet]

That 10 mm locating dowel is damn tight, and it tends to rust solid. A lengthy soak with penetrating fluid
and then pounding in (towards the bearing housing, so as not to bend the backing plate)
with a heavy hammer and big punch is what has worked for me. Perhaps heating with a torch could help.
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'67 bug: seized by the authorities
'68 bug: seized by the authorities
'71 kombi: not yet seized by the authorities

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[SGKent]

[Starbucket]

You can see that it has to slide over that hub so wire brush that rust off then gentle tapping with a ball peen hammer near the hub will help break the seal.

[richparker]

I left the backing plate attached to the adjuster block when I rebuilt the brakes on my ‘71.
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[kreemoweet]

[richparker]

[Kymar]

Thanks for the replies. Been busy working and just now getting back to this. So, Im confused (bear in mind I not a mechanic and kinda new to this, but I learn quickly). Is it a dowel or a rivet? when I think of rivet, both ends are flattened closed. I dont want to start pounding on this and completely destroy it. I would like to get this off to replace the wheel bearings and to sand all rust. The whole thing is loose, its only the dowel/rivet stopping in fro comming off. Been having a hell of a time finding new ones. Like I said, Im a beginner but enjoy learning and doing things myself. This is the only thing stopping me from actually taking her for the first spin around the block.

Cheers! And I know there will be many more questions coming in the future. Its definitely a project bus.

Kyle

[SGKent]

from samba gallery

both. The dowel centers and holds the backing place in position, and the bolts hold it to the hub. The rivets and welds hold the adjuster block to the backing plate. The adjuster block is part of the backing plate. The dowel sits in a hole in the backing plate/adjuster, and the other part of it in the hub. Sometimes the dowel comes out with the backing plate and sometimes it stays in the hub.

_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[Kymar]

OK, I was wondering if it might be both. But your picture is completely different from mine. Yours show the two bolt holes, and what looks like two rivets below that with a hole (which I assume is for the dowel) below that. Mine only has the 2 bolt holes and the 1 rivet underneath.

Edit - OK, got it. Decided to just give it a try and whacked on it with the sledge from the back and it came right off within 5 whacks. Also whacked my head in the process. I think it a sign I needed some sense knocked into me.


Thanks,
Kyle

[kreemoweet]

The dowels are VW #N 13 220 2, for what it's worth. 10mm diam x 20 mm length, although the
exact length isn't all that critical. They have rounded ends.

You can even get 'em in stainless steel, which would presumably avoid any future
rusted-on problems.

Here's some: https://www.mcmaster.com/dowel-pins/diameter~10mm/

There might even be some in the classified section here on thesamba.com.
_________________
'67 bug: seized by the authorities
'68 bug: seized by the authorities
'71 kombi: not yet seized by the authorities

Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[Kymar]

OK, heres my latest holdup. Trying to get the hub off. I swear this thing is like a Russian nesting doll. I got the hub unbolted, but it is attached to the axle part still. There are a number of Alan head bolts holding it in. When I try to unscrew them it just turns the axle. Am I doing something wrong here?

[kreemoweet]

How do you expect the hub splined shaft to pull out thru the
carrier with all that crap wrapped around it? It's a tight fit, and
sometimes requires a light press or tapping with a mallet.

The socket-head bolts hold the CV joint to the hub flange. You
should have undone those first and just swung the joint & axle out of the way.

I suggest you get a Bentley service manual and look into the relevant sections.
_________________
'67 bug: seized by the authorities
'68 bug: seized by the authorities
'71 kombi: not yet seized by the authorities

Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[SGKent]

you might want to get a Bentley and start studying it first. Not only should the axle and CV have been removed first, but the hub marked against the spring plate so you didn't change the wheel alignment. That is why the holes are oval. Good luck finding someone who still knows how to align the rears of VW buses. I'd put the pieces back together before you lose the witness marks for good, and then read the manual before proceeding. But that is just me. I just hate making more work for myself than is needed.
_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin