So just picked up a '72 VW Beetle, that's been sitting for 'bout 10 years now. Engine's disassembled and in a box. The passenger rear drum is seized up and won't move, I pounded the crap out of the drum and still nothing. Did the beetle have a adjusting lock on the back, and any tips on how to go 'bout getting the drum off? Also are there any good web-sites that would help with rebuilding a beetle motor, or on beetles in general?

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Originally Posted by EmJay

So just picked up a '72 VW Beetle, that's been sitting for 'bout 10 years now. Engine's disassembled and in a box. The passenger rear drum is seized up and won't move, I pounded the crap out of the drum and still nothing. Did the beetle have a adjusting lock on the back, and any tips on how to go 'bout getting the drum off? Also are there any good web-sites that would help with rebuilding a beetle motor, or on beetles in general?

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It's not about the self-adjusting brakes. It's about the braking material becoming adhered to the brake drum. Some of the things to try to free up this type of problem is to remove the drum assembly. Using coarse enough sandpaper or even find grinding disc, far better to remove any high spots. On the shoes or on the drums.

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Originally Posted by CaptainRich

It's not about the self-adjusting brakes. It's about the braking material becoming adhered to the brake drum. Some of the things to try to free up this type of problem is to remove the drum assembly. Using coarse enough sandpaper or even find grinding disc, far better to remove any high spots. On the shoes or on the drums.

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I understand that the brake material is stuck to the drum, my problem is removing the drum. Any help?

Is it the drum stuck to the hub?
Rust spray on the hub area and judicious hammer blows... typically from the inside toward the out side...
Rotate the drum periodically while tapping. More spray... bang-bang.. spray.. etc...
See where this is going? Just don't hit one spot too much or the drum can be distorted.

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Originally Posted by CaptainRich

Is it the drum stuck to the hub?
Rust spray on the hub area and judicious hammer blows... typically from the inside toward the out side...
Rotate the drum periodically while tapping. More spray... bang-bang.. spray.. etc...
See where this is going? Just don't hit one spot too much or the drum can be distorted.

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No, I've removed the hub, removed the cottor-pin, and axle bolt holding the drum on. I've located the self-adjusting screw, just don't know which way to turn the screw to loosen it. Which way do I turn the screw? Drum still will not move any.

Have you tried any rust penatrant on the bonding surface? And judicious application of a hammer?

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Originally Posted by CaptainRich

Have you tried any rust penatrant on the bonding surface? And judicious application of a hammer??

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Thanks for the help. Took forever with many applications with the hammer, an usin' a sliding dent puller. What happened, the retaining spring holder caps were rusted so bad they just broke loose, allowing the springs and shoes to become loose, therefore jamming up the drum. Thanks for the help.