Hey guys, quick question that I was hoping someone could help me out with.

I've got a 1976 bug with front discs and rear drums - recently my brakes have been squishy and unresponsive. Took them to the mechanic and get them bled, adjusted and un-siezed.

They were working fine up until the other day when they became unresponsive again - I have to double pump them for them to work.

When I took it back to the mechanic he was describing a piece for the drums I need to find for it to be a quick job.
Something to stop the adjusters from slipping?
He mentioned he could fashion one himself, but it would be more man hours (and I'm a struggling student).

Does anyone know what part this is that I need?
Hope someone can help!

Cheers,
Ollie

its a spring steel tab that locks in the star pattern on each of the adjusters if he has diagnosed it correctly

They are part of the whole backing plate and yes they do break off

Thanks Hellbug
Can you buy these seperately NOS or should I dig around on the forums to find one?

plenty of my cars missing that tab,
I never had a problem.

Really Ian? Strange, he mentioned he could adjust them back again, but it would continue to slip in the future?

some slip out of adjustment when the piece is missing, some dont depending how tight they are in the block

If your brakes need adjust the hand brake will pull up higher also,
its a piece off to put a screwdriver in the hole in the back of the drum and adjust brakes.

Quote:

Quote: Originally posted by 68AutoBug HI Ollie I have never seen those bits break off... but they shouldn't move anyway , otherwise those clips would be a LOT stronger they WILL move if they are greased and cleaned properly as indicated by ollie. the clips ARE strong enough acting like a rachet almost. enough tension to hold the adjustment, but also soft enough to ALLOW adjustment in the first place Quote: Originally posted by 68AutoBug I wouldn't worry about it... but if You want to replace them I think You need to replace the complete adjuster as those spring tabs are on the adjuster .. VW factory put them there because they have a purpose to serve.....the tab that holds the adjuster IS NOT part of the adjuster......its attached to the BACKING plate! Quote: Originally posted by 68AutoBug not sure how the clips are mounted on the adjuster block - its more likely that the adjuster seize up rather than move..... not likely to be siezed if he has just had them serviced at the mechanics Quote: Originally posted by 68AutoBug I'll try to send you a pic of the part.. its just a rectangular piece of steel with holes in either end with threads for the brake lining holders to screw in and out.... You should be able to get used ones anywhere... and cheap. ......the block is NOT THREADED at all.......the cups that insert into them are and this is where the adjustment is gained via the adjustment screw cheers LEE .

The clip is spot welded to the anchor block. Probably able to drill and tap tiny metal thread into the block to retain a new spring clip but no idea if they are available. Many cars have these broken and only ever a few seem to have the problem of the brake adjusters backing off. Do you drive on extremely rough or dirt roads as it's that type of vibration at the wheel that can shake the adjusters loose. Are you sure the mechanic adjusted things properly in the first place??? Seems it backed off quickly IMO.

Try here:
http://www.nlaparts.com/store/rear-brake-adjuster-spring-p-2571.html 

Usually fitted with 3mm CheeseHeadScrews but StainlessPopRivets would be just as viable.

Would need to drill the Block to accept the screws/rivets.

Hi

You can tell if your rear brakes need adjusting if the pedal feels good with the handbrake on and sloppy with the handbrake off.

Many mechanics fail to backoff the handbrake before adjusting the rear brakes, this only needs to be done when new linings have been fitted or you suspect a dodgy mechanic has tightened up the cables without 1st adjusting the rear brake shoes.

Steve