VW Beetle Brake Shoe Adjustment DIY - HOW TO Adjust VW Classic Beetle Brake Shoes - VW Bus - Ghia

[@DavePerry-c2m]

I’ve been a long time car person, mainly old Chevy’s, but never had or driven a Beetle. We bought our first, a 73’ Beetle about a week ago. The Bug needs some work, I’ve replaced the fuel lines and now the entire braking system.. Being completely new to VW’s you’re videos have been very helpful and informative .. Thank you

[@douglasbarnhart3324]

Thanks for the video Slade !! I like the white but that's just me.😁

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you my friend!

[@TheWhitetailrancher]

Pops would have said "no old man tan". he LOVED your channel and I am beginning to get addicted to it too!

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you my friend, I truly appreciate that I hope you’re doing well.

[@kevinhamling1963]

G'day, A good video on drum brake adjustment. I think many people struggle with these. With the paint I'd go for the lighter colour with clear over. Now the metal rail. I'd start with tacking it in the middle and work outwards applying heat to get the desired shape. It worked for me. Thanks for sharing ✌️ Peace from Melbourne Australia.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you Kevin! I truly appreciate your tip, and advice. I’m doing part two of the seat video this week, and at the same time starting on the guide rails. I will definitely try working out from the middle.

[@gary.oldefendt]

I've had beetles since the early 70's and I still pick something up from all your videos.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you Gary! And thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.

[@frankmccauley6612]

I’m leaning towards the lighter color, because the almond will appear drab in my opinion. I always enjoy your videos. Thank you so much.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you my friend! I can’t understand why I’m having so much trouble picking a color. I usually pick one easily.

[@cjjones1556]

Like the gloss almond. Reminds of my best friend, coffee ☕️.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Oh yes! Coffee makes me happy 😁

[@andyrhodes3453]

I like the almond . Love your videos 😁👍

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you Andy, and thank you so much for being here.

[@PopularityContest]

Both colors are nice I'd struggle with choosing for myself.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Brother, I’m having a heckuva time picking out a paint color. I don’t know why. Usually I pick one out easily.

[@PopularityContest]

@@SladesVWBeetle That just means whatever color you choose is going to be a game changer

[@SladesVWBeetle]

@@PopularityContest or a total fail! 😂😂

[@PopularityContest]

@@SladesVWBeetle You definitely couldn't do that. You're too talented for failure

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you my friend that was very nice of you.

[@dennislynn7592]

I like the almond 👍

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you very much Dennis!

[@heidihungerford1688]

Great refresher video for me, I haven't done a set for many moons.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you for being here my friend! I like to show things like this once in a while, especially for someone that’s new to the game.

[@greggbrown0]

Never boring 😀

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thanks my friend!

[@georgeezzell4474]

The gloss almond color looks great to me.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you George!

[@alidatorres6692]

I like the almond color because I believe it will cover better

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you Alida! I appreciate your input very much.

[@greggbrown0]

The gloss almond looking good 😁

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you Gregg, I hope you’re having a wonderful day.

[@jimstewart6145]

nice. almond looks nice.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you Jim, I really like that color a lot.

[@jasonbice4815]

Thank you for the video

[@SladesVWBeetle]

And thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!

[@pstreetgarage7304]

Great vid Mr Slade. Almond for the paint. I think it will make the car pop more

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you my friend!

[@letsbefrank6269]

Hi, I always screw the adjusters all the way in at assembly, then to adjust brakes I turn adjusters one click at a time, top and bottom adjusters until they just touch, one revolution until stop, that’s it, evenly adjusted shoes. Cheers another one from Australia.

[@terratorre]

Guide rails….. start welding them in the center. Then work your way to each side.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you so much my friend!

[@heidihungerford1688]

Gloss almond ❤

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you my friend!

[@johnreb1861]

The light color is a closer match, but I like the almond.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you so much John!

[@MikeMoose67]

I sure do appreciate the brake adjustment video. Also, I’m leaning toward the heirloom white on the color. Either color would look great but that’s just my preference. That was cool seeing my pedal assembly on your video. Looking forward to getting her installed. Again, fantastic video Slade.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you brother! When you need something just ask, if possible I will definitely do it. I’m so confused with picking a color it’s ridiculous. Lol

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

Nothing wrong with the videos of parking brake adjusting and shoes adjusting, you did on red super Beetle.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thanks my friend, I hope you’re doing well!

[@Slatersave]

I like the lighter one, but I haven't used the satin. Definitely would clearcoat it though as you will likely need to wet sand it to get a good finish. Home Depot has some new cans of the Rustolum Enamal that have different spray patterns on the cans. One of them is supposed to be a wider fan.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

I never thought I would have a hard time picking paint, but I sure have lately. Probably just me getting older or something. Lol I did see that, it’s like a turbo spray rustoleum? I was watching it on KZbin has an extremely wide pattern.

[@alidatorres6692]

Videos are always educational

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you so much my friend, and thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.

[@newalex1970]

Almond 👍

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you so much!

[@philipculver2719]

I know the basics of adjusting. I need to know which way to turn the star. down ro up or up to down, up or up to down . Same with rear. Which way on drivers side and which way on passengers side?

[@UncsPlacePerformance]

Great video!!

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you very much I truly appreciate that

[@doityourselfrepairs5202]

Glass almond.. but if u swing by a auto paint shop. They usually also have a few different extras to choose from

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you very much! I don’t know why I’m having a hard time making a choice on color. I was actually going to buy an LVLP gun, use it with my 21 gallon compressor. Then maybe a single stage.

[@bertsparrow]

Slade, I’ve done what you’re askin😢about at the 5 min mark. Instead of having the far side do the total bend, rivet the center, then both sides will only have HALF the travel, vs one side needing total travel. Bert

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you Bert! I truly appreciate you reaching out with a good tip and advice

[@dog01b52]

AS mentioned in some of the comments, I would start in the middle of the hood and work the rail, heating it gently. The length of the rail will give you leverage in bending it. I'm thinking that cutting it would cause leaks if moisture got past the rubber, as probable why it rusted. Tack in place, heat and bend. As for the paint, the Satin color I would go with but in gloss, yes, I know you're covering it with clear coat. My experience with rattle cans and working with car parts, I use the exact color and the gloss. Remember, it's all in the prep. I would paint the part, allow drying, then sand and coat it again...repeat. So there is a good base coat and then the last thing you do is sand lightly, I used a sanding cloth then clear coat with the Clear Coat mixture, Once you punch the can's harder on the bottom there is no going back, well on the product I used. Mine came out better that factory. Best of luck.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thanks my friend! I’m going to finish up my seat video for next week. And then get these rails on. They seem much thicker than the factory. I will definitely get it to work. For some reason, I thought they would’ve been easier. But then again, I would be the first to complain if they were too thin I would say they’re junk 😂😂

[@daveydad]

My adjustment holes are so mangled up I can't install the round rubber plugs. Fortunately, I avoid driving in the rain as much as possible.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Honestly that happens a lot! You can buy new backing plates. Or possibly do a little metal work if you ever pull your original ones off.

[@27yearcoach]

Lighter one with clearcoat.

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

I like the satin color because its closer to the original color.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thanks my friend! It is pretty close to the factory lotus white.

[@steve9173]

I'd use both colors. The lighter color on he body and fenders, the darker color on the doors.🙂

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Oddly enough, Heather was asking me if I could do a two-tone paint on it. Not a bad idea I will keep that in mind, thank you so much

[@davo8802]

PLEASE HELP 🙏 I need to find parts for my vw engine in rail buggy. Found #AE 383864 under generator pedestal. What year and type is that to tell auto part store?

[@SladesVWBeetle]

1971-1973 Dual port 1600cc

[@chris5.0coyote28]

Do I bleed my breaks after installing 4 new wheel cylinders and resetting brake shoe positions ? For some reason my brake cylinder boots are popping off and leaking fluid I’m not sure what’s going on 😂

[@SladesVWBeetle]

After you install the wheel cylinders, make sure to adjust the brake shoes. And then try bleeding them off after that. If the shoes are not adjusted properly, the wheel cylinders are pushing out too far and that’s why it’s leaking fluid. I hope that makes sense.

[@chris5.0coyote28]

@@SladesVWBeetleyess sir thanks for replying got my subscription 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@SladesVWBeetle]

@ and thank you! I hope it is helpful.

[@chris5.0coyote28]

@@SladesVWBeetle turns out every brake line was clogged I just replaced all 4 and I’ll be trying to bleed the brakes tomorrow going to be using a brake bleeding pump from harbor freight I’ll let you know how it goes 👍🏼

[@chris5.0coyote28]

@@SladesVWBeetle okay so got home from work today back at it with the beetle again so I’ve changed all 4 wheel cylinders and all the pads all around adjusted all 4 pads and also replaced all 4 rubber brake hose lines as some were clogged I’m now doing the bleeding process and for some reason I’m still having air come through the bleeder hose and a spongy pedal not sure what I’m doing wrong from here not the reservoir stays full while I bleed I’m using one of those hand held bleeder pumps I’ve went in a circle three times already re bleeding each wheel I’m stuck now 😅🤯

[@julionunez7615]

Hey, I have a 74' baja bug and I have been changing the brake system. I have replaced the master cylinder with a new one and I have new brakes. I have bled it, I have a firm pedal, no leaks on the brake lines, no air in the brakes, the bleeder valves are good, the brake shoes have been adjusted, and yet the brakes still don't work. I push down the pedal, get a good, firm resistance, yet the wheel wont stop turning. Could you help me out with this problem? Thanks, appreciate the vids!

[@SladesVWBeetle]

The first thing I would check, and this might sound silly. Pull the drum off of that problem area, and have someone press the brake, but make sure they do it SLOWLY and don’t push it very far!! you want to see if the shoes are being pushed out against the drum. Now remember, if they push it too far you’re going to have an issue.

[@julionunez7615]

Thanks, but I had just fixed it a couple of days ago, the master cylinder was the wrong size, made for an earlier bug I think. Love the videos and thanks for the help!@@SladesVWBeetle

[@SladesVWBeetle]

@@julionunez7615 i’m glad it all worked out. Sometimes it takes a few days for me to catch up on all of the messages. Thank you so much for being her! I truly appreciate it.

[@jeffbannon1345]

If you hate choosing colors, let the car decide. The original color seems nice and perhaps creates less work in the end.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Thank you for chiming in Jeff! I truly appreciate it!

[@miguelrodz3307]

You need to check the color on day light, out of your site.

[@cjjones1556]

The guide rails. Tack it. Push it. Tack it. Zzzzztttt. Grunt. Zzzzttt.

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Yes exactly! The grunt thing especially 🤦🏼‍♂️😁😂