-
Raise
the car and support it securely on jackstands. Release
the parking brake.
Note:
You need not remove the wheels unless you need the extra
space for your big bod!
-
Depress
the brake pedal several times, using firm pressure,
to center the brake shoes in the drum.
-
Remove
the rubber plugs from the brake backing plate (if they
are missing, get new ones).
-
Using
a flashlight, look through the hole in the brake drum
and check the brake lining thickness. If the lining
is 1/16" thick or less, replace the brake shoes. (See
our Brake Shoe Replacement
procedure.)
-
Insert
the brake adjustment tool into one of two holes in which
you can see the adjusting stars.
Note:
The adjusting stars are accessed through holes in the
brake backing plate; they are located on the bottom inside
of the wheel on both the front and the rear.
Note:
Some people use a large screwdriver to adjust the brakes.
A large screwdriver doesn't work very well in this application,
as it doesn't give you enough levering room before the
handle hits the front suspension. A brake adjustment tool,
especially designed for the purpose, is best; however,
make sure the blade is narrow enough to fit through the
holes in the backing plate to reach the adjusting stars.
Note that the blade on the brake adjusting tool used on
regular cars is too wide for use on VW brakes.
-
Turn
the star wheel (in the direction indicated below) until
the brake shoe slightly drags on the drum when the wheel
is turned. Then back it off 2-3 clicks. Be sure to adjust
both brake shoes.
-
Repeat
Step 6 on all of the other wheels.
If you have disc front brakes, you wont have to adjust them of course -
disc brakes are self adjusting.
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