Dennis,

I post this to the List so everyone can benefit.

I have the weak rear brake problem on my 88 GL. Only a small area at the
end of the brake shoes contacts the drum. The drums are fairly new, -
less than a year old - and the shoe lining is nice and thick. But it is
obvious the shoes are contracting the drum only on the upper ends. In
reading your response to Don Hanson regarding a cheap brake upgrade -
you listed part numbers for brake shoes and a hardware kit for same. You
also mentioned ATE wheel cylinders but gave no part number - only
commenting the dealer's are not a choice here. Maybe I'm being a bit
dense here - but what did that mean? Which specific ATE wheel cylinder
is are you addressing .... 1) a Vanagon wheel cylinder? ... or other?
2)  and what year?? Does this change relocate the adjusters?

Would you mind going into it a bit more as to what is  to be
accomplished when all this is done? Clearly the adjusters and the
cylinders being at the same end of the shoe only allows one end of the
shoe to contact the drum. Please describe what is happening and what is
being accomplished in the changeover.

Thanks,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver