924Board.org

[Patrick]

Hi all! I have a 79 california 924 and have been reading the 924.org discussions on and off for a few years now. I know my question has been asked a zillion times.. I`ve read the garage faq`s and technical section and used the search function but havent gotten the answer i want. Does anybody know FOR SURE if the rear drums and Brake shoes and Push rod (that flat metal piece between the brake shoes that has a slot/slots on each end)from a Volkswagen Beetle fit properly in the 924? I`m not even sure if my brake shoes and Push rod might be from a VW Beetle. We only have ONE porsche dealer in the philippines. And they certainly dont have any 924 parts on hand for me to compare my brake parts. 924`s are rare over here, seen maybe less than 10 924`s in 13 years! Parts cars are even rarer, seen only 2 maybe. A junked early 924 over here can cost at least $1000(US). And nobody is going to open up their 924 drums(junk or not) for me to compare. So people here on a budget(like me) have to resort to other parts(used, when practical). Good thing my wheel cylinders are ok coz i`d really like to avoid the smaller ones i can get from the VW beetle. I asked this question because through the years i`ve always had problems fitting my drums back in properly, i can get them in but they are just SO TIGHT!(say after i have my shoes rebonded). But this time i just had to open up my drums to replace one of the broken spring metal adjuster stoppers and clean up the inside. I had the adjusters working and turned in all the way and even disconnected the emergency brake fitting temporarily just to test if the e-brake was pushing the shoe towards the drum. The linings rebonded on the shoes are not any thicker than the factory standard lining specified in the haynes manual(i checked w/ a vernier caliper in fact). In fact i had to have both drum surfaces turned slightly on a brake lathe about a year ago. Its driving me nuts trying to reposition the brake shoes by moving them and recentering them by slamming the break pedal. Yes i`m able to get the drums in, but have the lining way to close to the drum as to practically bind the wheel!

About the rear axle nut, i use a 36mm socket on mine w/a breaker bar and pipe. Is this the right axle nut coz i`m concerned about over stressing it as i read in a "European Car" mag dated dec 92 that you need a 38 mm socket, or was this a misprint? I`d appreciate any ideas from anyone. Thanks!

[gohim]

36mm is the correct size for the socket to loosen the rear axle nuts.

Just because the brake shoes may be the correct thickness does not mean that they are going to fit perfectly, the arc (curve profile) may be incorrect. New brake shoes will fit on the car fairly tight, and I read somewhere that it might be helpful to slightly grind the leading and trailing ends of the brake shoes before they are installed.

[Patrick]

Thanks for the suggestion gohim, i`l check how the lining contacts the drum. Although prior to taking off the drums about 2 weeks ago, they were just nowhere that tight. If i dont find a shop that gives a good price for brakeshoe regrinding/re-arcing i may just use some sandpaper,a facemask and lots of patience to do it roughly(assuming that`s really the main problem of course)! Then go through a break-in period of sorts to hopefully seat
the lining acceptably(which i assumed my lining would have already been through since i had my brakeshoes rebonded a few months ago). But assuming its not the lining or brakeshoes or pushrod thats giving me a tight fit, any other opinions anyone? I`d still like to know if anyone has used VW drums or VW brakeshoes or VW pushrods or even VW backing plates for their drum brakes. Thanks again!