Rear brake self adjustor spring keeps popping off

[jeremypbeasley]

This is my first rodeo with drum brakes. I replaced the pads and I’m reusing the springs, just until I get new parts in. I feel like I have a pretty good handle on how the self adjuster works but the spring keeps popping off every time I put it on. It seems way too tight.

I’ve uploaded a video so you can see. I would greatly appreciate anyone’s help.

[jeremypbeasley]

sorry folks. here’s the video.


Link

[hardway]

You need some different brake shoes. The adjuster lever that the spring goes to is too floppy. It is just not correct. Those shoes must have come from a really low bidder in an offshore country.

Lately I have been using the World Brake Resource brand from World Pac. I have also used the Meyle brand recently. Neither would have been my first choice years ago, but they work. I see that Van Cafe is selling the WBR brand now. I think that it is an in house brand for World Pac.

[kguarnotta]

I had a similar issue - got my shoes from NAPA - guy swore they were good. It was driving me crazy. I think it was my first "project" on the van - fixing the brakes.

I couldn't figure out what was wrong until I compared new to old,and saw that the rivet for the old holds that piece way tighter - so it doesn't flop around. A real pain - taking apart and putting together 3 times until I figured it out.

I ended up getting shoes from GoWesty - I can't recall who they source from - but I figured they would not sell junk - and it works.
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-Kevin
Lincoln, MA

'86 Triple Knob Syncro w/EJ22
'78 Westy
'69 Single Cab
'65 Kombi - EZ-Camper

[Jeffrey Lee]

Yeah, that self-adjuster lever is wanked.

Toss those shoes and buy something new of better quality.

It's possible the wonky lever(s) could be repaired by tightening or replacing the faulty pressed pin/rivet that attaches it to the shoe; but it may not be worth your time if the shoes were cheap.
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Camp Westfalia
Camping Tips • Newsletter • Cool Campervan Apparel
www.CampWestfalia.com

[skills@eurocarsplus]

the self adjuster lever will be very floppy, but that is too much.

here is a good photo of what things should look like

MOD EDIT : Right Side shown

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[jeremypbeasley]

Welp. That's a shame. Burned through my whole sunday trying to get these jerks to work correctly.

I got these guys from Burley. Brand is TiBAO. SKU 251 698 531LX. https://burleymotorsports.net/product/rear-brake-shoe-set/

Guess I'll throw my old ones back on. They weren't too bad. I was just rebuilding everything else in the rear end and thought it'd be good to get ahead of.

Just ordered the WBR one from van cafe. https://www.vancafe.com/251609537-p/251609537.htm

Thanks everyone!

[Wildthings]

Geez, the bends in the adjusting knife lever are not even close to correct.

[Jeffrey Lee]

I'd contact Burley regarding the problem and include the video link; being a reputable Vanagon parts supplier, I would anticipate they'd find a way to rectify the situation.
_________________
Camp Westfalia
Camping Tips • Newsletter • Cool Campervan Apparel
www.CampWestfalia.com

[greebly]

Those aren't Burley, they are Gnarley.

[designer]

I lost a lot of time also and bloodied all my knuckles last time I jacked w my rear drums. Last time, though, because I ordered up some burley rear discs shortly after!!!
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__________
87 Syncro Westy : 2.5l

"It is that annoying, accelerating downhill so I can make it up the next hill in the same gear. Foot to floor hoping I can get out of the way of other cars getting onto the highway." - somebody on here around 2013.

[kguarnotta]

@Greebly - I think you are right that they are not Burley made, but Burley sold them - and they should be told that their supplier is not making the parts correctly, so they don't keep selling them.

It is a shitty situation for home mechanics - you take the whole rear wheel assembly apart, tear it all down, rebuild it - and it doesn't work right. For someone like myself (very much an amateur) I kept thinking I was doing something wrong. I reviewed a ton of posts here, reread Bentley numerous times, took it apart, put it together - still didn't work. Then I compared my replacement to the new and realized I had bad replacement parts.

I did learn not to get parts from NAPA anymore.
_________________
-Kevin
Lincoln, MA

'86 Triple Knob Syncro w/EJ22
'78 Westy
'69 Single Cab
'65 Kombi - EZ-Camper

[greebly]