Anyone know where i can get brake drums machined and maybe some other brake work? I'm in Richmond, Melbourne.

Really prefer an old VW specialist or a mechanic sympathetic to my old 58?

Cheers

Drum machining can be done by most brake shops. If you have alternative transport, remove the drums yourself and take them in to be machined, that way you can be 100% sure your car will be looked after. Most mechanics don't have the facilities to do this work and will sub it out anyway.

Skimming early drums was not recomended by vw when these were new. If you are getting the shakes in the steering when you apply the brakes, in a lot of cases this can be solved with correct torquing of the wheel nuts. The early drop centre wheels are really sensitive to correct tightness of the nuts. If they are over tightened this can pull the drum out of round and cause the shakes when you apply the brakes. Before you do anything get a torque wrench and tighten them to factory torque settings and see what that does.

Thanks guys, it's the back ones (driver's side only as far as i can tell) that are the problem but i will get the torque wrench on the nuts and make sure they are not overtightened in a strange way.

Any idea what to torque them to?

I've tried to track down a spare set but had no luck.

Cheers

I have always done mine up to about 30ftlbs or so. Never had a wheel come off yet. These are easy to strip out in the early drums. Thats why you never ever let the tyre guys near them with a rattle gun.

Well, i did a quick undo and retighten this morning and it does seem slightly better. 2 of the bolts were much tighter than the others. I guess the drum distortion won't go away though and if they can't be skimmed i'll have to try and find another drum.

I'll do both wheels properly at the weekend and see if that helps.

Didn't realise these early drums were so fragile. It has been tightened by guys with rattle guns as it had new shoes fitted for a roadworthy when i bought it. Need to get the drums off for a look.

When you have the drums off check to see if the shoes have been champered on the leading edge properly too. In some cases this can cause the brakes to chatter also.

Are you still running the split case gearbox? Non syncro 1st gear?

Worth checking the bearings and the road wheel for straightness too. All this stuff will cause shakes and shimmies.

[ Edited on 30-8-2007 by Grey 57 ]

Yep, feels like no syncro on 1st but no idea if it is a split case box. The vibration is only noticeable as you are coming to a stop, higher speeds it is ok. Definitely feels like an oval drum as there is no vibration when travelling, just under braking.

I'll have a look and make sure there is enough chamfer on the newish shoes. Can't remember if it was a problem before the shoes were replaced as i only drove it to get the roadworthy.

Is your grey 57 a beetle?

I did have a Grey 57 Oval a few years back (along with about 4 others ovals over the years) I have a Type 34 Karman Ghia these days.

Make sure you come along to one of the VW Club Vic events over the next few months. ===>>> http://www.vwclub.com.au/events.php 

Come and sat giday.

Cheers
Dean

The one in your avatar i guess? I've seen a grey beetle with a custom 57 plate (i think) driving around Melbourne, just wondered if that was yours.

I will try and get along to a club event and say hello. Keen to make the DOVW this year too.

Cheers

Yes thats my T34 in the avatar.
My old Grey Oval now lives happliy in Bendigo plate was AU1957. Miss that car still.

Oh with the split case gearbox, easy to tell as its made from 2 separate halfs that are bolted together down the centre line. You will see when you look under there. Also if you can shift into 1st with out stopping (or double clutching) then you have a non synchro split case box

[ Edited on 1-9-2007 by Grey 57 ]

Pulled off one of the rear drums at the weekend and lo and behold a leaking brake cylinder. Looks like the brand new shoes fitted are wrecked as they have fluid soaked into them.

I think it is time for a major brake overhaul!