On my 1981 Vanagon, I recently installed new rear brake shoes and wheel
cylinders right and left and turned the left rear drum.  These repairs
along with new front pads have resulted in much improved braking
performance, however, my left rear drum is too hot to touch after driving.

This hot drum condition existed before the brake repairs.  The right drum
can be comfortably handled while the left is too hot to touch.

The shoes that came off the left rear side were shot and the left drum
was ground up pretty bad, necessitating a retrue of the braking surface.
It does not appear warped.

My amateur diagnosis indicates one of the following:

1.  My mechanic missed something on the brake job and the left rear pads
are still binding.

2.  The drum should be a little hot and the right brake is not
functioning.

3.  I have a bad left wheel bearing that is causing the heat.  (My guess)

4.  I might also add that at one point on my sole trip after the brake
work I noticed a "ticking" sound from the rear, dependant on speed, that
sounded like that described in the recent thread about CV joints.  I
have, however, noticed this sound upon occasion since I purchased my van
in 1992.

Any guidance and insight would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Tony

Anthony L. Mourkas
Hampden, Maine, USA