Brake shoes, drums, levers and spreaders, adjustment and issues with new parts

I think all you're missing is that correct ones are available and they were what Chris diligently ordered.
Personally it gets my goat when suppliers list parts saying they are correct for my vehicle when the truth is that they kinda fit but were designed for something else.

 

But the torque spec is calculated expecting the full thread of the nut to be used.

I have seen threads get stripped when people have fitted spacers behind alloys and the original studs end up short because of it.

You’ve had a wheel come off whilst your driving haven’t you mark?
Its a scary situation to be in I expect

 

It happens to often to be laziness. I'd call it deliberate obfuscation to list parts that may well "work" but are incorrect as "fits bay 1970-79" or whatever.
Claasic is pump jets for DHLA carbs that Eurocarb sell as DRLA pump jets. Sure they fit in the hole but they're shorter so your squirt dribbles down the inside of the carb. Eurocarbs reaction? They still work the same. Er, no, they don't! This kind of thing is endemic.

 

Exactly, and all these things build up until you have a van made of bodgered parts that all nearly fit. Not what I want personally.

 

I've decided to keep them and check the nut torque regularly for a bit. I test drove them this morning and brakes and handbrake work fine and no brake rub at all.

Yes I'm slightly *******ed off, but as they get marked when fitting and adjusting, the return policy is their decision and so as they have said they are safe......hmmmm will keep a close eye.

I've had equal points of view on both sides, keep/don't keep. Lots of the suppliers are selling both or some version in-between, so most important is lesson learnt for everybody here.

 

If your going to keep them then fit some longer studs Chris
Then any doubt is taken care of and you can enjoy your bus.

 

It's been a saga alright, all new parts with spreader bar slot wrong, lever arm length wrong, brake shoe holes for top return springs wrong and drums as above. All fixed with welded slot shorter, fitted old lever arms, drilled new hole for return spring and drums...crossed fingers

 

Surely if your not using all the threads in the nut
Then when the torque wrench says you have reached the correct torque
You will actually have less than the correct amount of clamping force holding the wheel on.

 

I don't use a torque wrench on my wheel nuts. I did once to get a feel of it, now I just lean on the breaker bar. I've never had trouble with bay wheel nuts coming loose and they aren't particularly tight. I wouldn't worry, it's more annoying than anything else IMO.

 

and folks wonder why garages shy away from older vehicles, how would you come up with a bill for such a saga

least its fixed

 

'The lady's not for (re-)turning' ....but the drums and I are.

C&C have been really decent and I've returned the drums

It was going to be one of those niggles that would always sit in the back of my mind so I decided to ask them and they agreed.

My old drums are thinner across the face for the studs of just over 2.6mm whereas the C&C ones were over 6.5mm, hence the loss of stud effective length. (See photos)

I've checked with Alan Schofield and their drums are standard and have been ordered.

Golly, I don't make life easy do I...


Thanks everyone for their thoughts on this and hopefully the information will help others in their choices in the future.

 

This has been going on for decades Chris, I've had to return them too. Why they don't simply steer people at suitable drums I have no idea and just not stocking them then foistering Brazilian ones on unsuspecting customers is hopelessly uncaring - or only caring about making a profit by coming up on searches as "cheap". Bait and switch. The race to the bottom.

 

They did take the drums back, so I'm happy with their aftermarket service, but I've asked them to make clear in the description of their advert that the nuts will sit proud on the studs. We'll see.

 

Then they'd have to invest to stock more expensive drums too and have perhaps learned that VW owners are cheap and mostly buy on price meaning nobody even looks at the proper ones. I doubt they are the only vendor doing this and if one lists the Brazil drums for 70-79, the rest follow or loose sales.

 

Take your pick!
https://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/oenumber/251609615.html

 

@Chris
C&C say this now - "These are heavy duty Brazilian spec are thicker across the bolt face area."
Have they just added it?
Of course, not wanting to loose sales instead of saying your studs will be too short, they'd bigged them up as "heavy duty" and left it to the buyer to work out (or not) the effect this has on your wheel nuts.
It could be worse - I've seen plenty after market wheels with fancy domed wheel nuts barley hanging on to a few threads because you cannot see the studs with those nuts and people will be people.

 

No change, that is the description they have always had.