81 Caddy rear brakes

[Kanzan]

Completely rebuilt the rear brakes on my 81Caddy several years ago. New 200 mm drums, correct shoes, everything new. I noticed then that the adjusters were all the way out, and the shoes barley touched the drums. Now after 10,000 miles the shoes don't touch the drums and there is no adjustment left. Is there any difference between car and pickup wheel cylinders? Only thing I can think is maybe I used car wheel cylinders on the pickup. Any ideas? Thanks Kanzan

[TylerDurden]

It's been a few years, so I don't recall what's different.

There's a topic on the vortex that might have some info... title: "180mm drum vs 200mm".

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.p ... m-vs-200mm

[Kanzan]

Been studying my rear brake problem. The adjusting wedge is all the way down, and the shoes do not contact the 200mm drums. Looking at my Bentley, it almost has to be worn or incorrect push bar, or worn or incorrect adjusting wedge. Anyone know if there is any difference in the push bar for the 180mm and 200mm rear brakes? Thanks Kanzan

[vwtyp133]

Yes, push bar/"push rod" part # for the Caddy 200mm brakes are: 331 609 819A (Left side) and 331 609 820A (Right side), while the Rabbit hatchbacks' 180mm brakes take a 171 609 819B (Left side) and 171 609 820B (Right side). BTW the 200mm brakes were also used on the VW Dashers & (presumably) the Audi Foxes.

Adjustment wedges are the same for both sizes of rear brakes, p/n 171 609 705. Personally... no love for this VW style of 'self-adjusting' drum brakes, although many folks (some with far more experience than me) say they function fine for them. Will replace the wedges (again!) when I rebuild the brakes next time, or just give up & convert to rear disks on my Dasher wagon.

[Kanzan]

Thanks for the info vwtyp133, compared my push bars to a friends caddy, sure they are the correct bars. Do the wedges wear out? Could the emergency brake adjustment have anything to do with the problem? Would like to convert to disc rear brakes, but seems like a very expensive way to go.

[Fatmobile]

I like drum brakes better.
They don't have the e-brake freeze problem like the rear disc calipers.
They also don't coat with ice in the winter.