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rear brakes: can't get to star wheels

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Purple Martin Fahrvergnugen

913 posts · joined Feb 2003 ·

#364417
I was planning to adjust my bug's rear brake shoes at the weekend, but I couldn't! It's a 1959 so there are no holes in the backing plate to get to the star wheels. The Gregory's Manual says to rotate the wheel until the hole in the drum lines up with the star wheels, but there isn't a hole in the drum either!

Also, the drum is 4-stud and there is a spacer for the 5-stud wheel. I took the spacer off to see if there was a hole in the drum behind it but there isn't.

Did a previous owner put the wrong year drums on the car?

And how can I adjust the brake shoes without access to the star wheels???
1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#364423
Hi

The 5 stud drums are adjusted through the front of the drum, the 4 stud through the backing plate at the bottom rear of the backing plate.

Steve

Purple Martin Fahrvergnugen

913 posts · joined Feb 2003 ·

#364548
Thanks for the info.

Well I've got 4-stud drums and old-style backing plates with no holes. So there's no way to adjust them!

What parts do I need to swap? Presumably more than just the drums 😠
1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#364592
Hi

You could get some later backing plates with shoes and fit those.

Steve

bugDbug Seriously Crusin Dubber

118 posts · joined Feb 2005 ·

#364604
Interesting, why don't you drill holes in the backing plate?