Can you help me with my brake problem?

Asked by WKT Jun 13, 2014 at 03:29 PM about the 1990 Volkswagen Jetta STD Diesel

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I performed rear brake job, e-brake cable, shoes, spring kit, drums & bearings.  E-brake works and adjusts shoes with slight drag.  When foot brake is applied the adjusting wedge is pulled down as intended to compensate for wear but does not release when foot brake is released causing the brakes to stay applied.  Have loosened bleeder on wheel cylinder, no pressure whatsoever and shoes stay on until wedge is moved upward through wheel stud hole.  Have removed assemblies and taken to brake shop and VW shop all say it should work as intended, springs are correct, wedge is good.  Any ideas on where to go from here?

1 Answer

8,035

If the wheel assemblies are as they should be, you should look to the master cylinder. A 24 year-old car you have...swap the M/C and do a proper bleed at all four corners and go from there. Be sure to look up the bleed procedure so you do each corner in the right sequence.

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