Handbrake (drum brake) - adjust — VW

🧭 Before you start

Confirm the brakes are operational and bled, remove the console extension and rear wheels, and slacken the compensator nut. Lift the adjuster wedges through the bolt holes, run the engine and apply the brake firmly three times. Reconnect the cables, refit the wheels and adjust the nut so the wheels lock on the 4th tooth, cycle the lever 10 times and recheck. Release, confirm only slight drum brushing, then road and ramp test.

Fits: platform codes 9A2, 9A4, 9A5, 9A1, 9A3, 9A6

Don't miss

• Do not let the traction springs come off the wedges; if they do, the drums must come off.
• Press the brake pedal quickly and hard three times, as in an emergency stop.
• Set it so the wheels cannot be turned by hand on the 4th tooth.
• Afterwards, rear wheels on the same axle should be at similar temperature.

Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.

📋 Procedure

1. Remove the centre console extension Body - Internal assembly work68Internal equipment
2. The brake must be operational and bled.
3. Remove rear wheels.
4. Loosen the nut (arrow) until the handbrake cables can be removed from the compensator.
5. Raise the vehicle using a lift.

6. Turn the brake drum until the wedge is visible through the wheel fastening bolt holes (arrow).
7. Using a screwdriver, lift the wedges as much as possible, avoiding releasing the traction springs. [Note: If traction springs are removed from wedges during this procedure, brake drums must be removed to reassemble them.]
8. Turn the engine on, and accelerate once.
9. Keep the engine in idle and press brake pedal three times, simulating an emergency braking. [Note: Activation speed and power must be high]
10. Turn engine off.
11. Connect the cable into the compensator.
12. Install the rear wheels.
13. Adjust the nut (arrow), until it is no longer possible to manually spin the wheels on the 4th tooth (vehicle suspended on the lift).
14. With the handbrake lever button pressed, raise the lever to just before the stop for 10 times, keeping it in the position for 1 sec.
15. Check handbrake adjustment, ensuring that it is not possible to manually spin the wheel in the 4th tooth (vehicle suspended on the lift).
16. If necessary, adjust the nut arrow, until it is no longer possible to manually spin the wheels on the 4th tooth (vehicle suspended on the lift).
17. Release the handbrake.
18. Raise the vehicle using a lift and ensure wheels are secured; slight drum brushing is allowed.
19. If necessary, readjust in order to ensure proper brake adjustment in the 4th lever tooth.
20. Remove the vehicle from the lift and conduct the rolling and ramp tests.
21. Check wheel temperature using the hands; the temperature difference must be significant between front and rear wheels, and must not be perceptive between wheels in a same axle.

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