How To: C8A/C15 rear brake: adjustment tool?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

All,

I have been trying to adjust the brakes on my C15. I need to take off the brake drums, but the brakes are binding so I need to back off the brake shoes.

But my C15 does not have the adjusting pinion as per the manual, only the slots in the brake backing plate like the front brakes have.

As the rear spring sits close to the brake backing plate, there is no room to use a regular screwdriver to engage the teeth on the adjusting cover of the wheel cylinder.

Who has solved this riddle before? Is there a special tool or a trick?

Thanks in advance!
Hanno

[Hanno Spoelstra]

To be clear: the rear brakes on my C15 do not have these adjusting pinion shafts:

So I tried using the method for the front brakes, but because of the rear springs, there is no room for the screw driver handle:

756CEA71-BD82-47D6-8741-98141B169341.jpeg 74F65885-40D8-40C0-B5BB-76109A609FA0.jpeg

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Tried to take a pic of what the inside look like:

IMG-2897.jpg

[rob love]

Get a brake adjusting tool. It has an end like a screwdriver (but wider) and the shaft is bent over about 35°. If the angle is not right for your specific application, then heat the tool and bend it to where it does work.


The tool can usually be had for less than $10.

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Hanno


I agree with Rob you need a brake adjustment spoon tool. I made mine which I will photograph and post. There is an issue of clearance to the springs. The things to remember is which direction you need to move the tool back off each end of the cylinder.


Cheers Phil

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Thanks, that makes perfect sense but I didn’t know it existed. My ‘65 VW used the same adjustment system, but there a screwdriver did the job.

A Dutch friend has stepped forward, I can borrow his tool.

To be continued!

Hanno