Octavia 1.9d. done 248,000 mles. took rear drum off to nspect shoes, don't need replacing, now can't get drum back on, must have some sort of release mech but can't see it.

sorry if dumb question

You probably need to release / slacken off part of the hand brake mechanism....

You will have to release the auto adjusters and let the shoes move towards each other, then refit the drum. I don't know whether the auto adjusters work off of the handbrake or the foot pedal.

You will have to release the auto adjusters and let the shoes move towards each other, then refit the drum. I don't know whether the auto adjusters work off of the handbrake or the foot pedal.

Thanks. thats what can't fnd, where the adjusters are

Usually a bar or rod going across the two shoes, they will be a ratchet arrangement, so as the shoes wear and move out they 'click' out and then can't move back.

Could look something like this.

My Haynes book says:

""Prior to refitting the drum, fully retract the brake shoes by lifting up the wedge key"

"The wedge key is located beneath the front of the wheel cylinder.

Essential the wedge key is where the vertical spring is attached at the top. There is a picture I could scan in if the above description does not help. Pretty sure the auto adjuster works on the hand brake and not the footbrake.

Usually a bar or rod going across the two shoes, they will be a ratchet arrangement, so as the shoes wear and move out they 'click' out and then can't move back.

Could look something like this.

Thanks for pic.Thats what i was expecting, no obvious ratchet tho, might be connected with handbrake, no i will kick myself when someone explains.

There is a sliver wedge shaped adjuster that is connected to the bottom spring by another spring. The wedge sits inbetween the front shoe and the horizontal bar. The wedge will need to be moved upwards to make the horizontal bar shorter thus moving the shoes in together. Once the drum is back on the adjuster then needs to be moved back down again (which you can do with a spike tool through one of the wheel bolt holes) until the drum spins but the shoes are just starting to contact the drum.

My Haynes book says:

""Prior to refitting the drum, fully retract the brake shoes by lifting up the wedge key"

"The wedge key is located beneath the front of the wheel cylinder.

Essential the wedge key is where the vertical spring is attached at the top. There is a picture I could scan in if the above description does not help. Pretty sure the auto adjuster works on the hand brake and not the footbrake.

Looked at what i think is the wedge key earlier, do you need a special tool to move it, it looked like it was on the hub and no spring attached tho.

thanks once again.

There is a sliver wedge shaped adjuster that is connected to the bottom spring by another spring. The wedge sits inbetween the front shoe and the horizontal bar. The wedge will need to be moved upwards to make the horizontal bar shorter thus moving the shoes in together. Once the drum is back on the adjuster then needs to be moved back down again (which you can do with a spike tool through one of the wheel bolt holes) until the drum spins but the shoes are just starting to contact the drum.

Think i know where you mean, but how do you move it, tried earlier but didn't want to really force it.

Looked at what i think is the wedge key earlier, do you need a special tool to move it, it looked like it was on the hub and no spring attached tho.

thanks once again.

Haynes just shows it being lifted with a screwdriver.

Haynes just shows it being lifted with a screwdriver.

Would you be kind enough to scan the pic:D just in case i'm looking at wrong part.

Circled in red on the right hand side..... hope it helps.

http://www.matthewames.co.uk/briskoda/20090410_rear_drums/wedge_key.png

Edited 10 April, 200917 yr by mbames
URL for image, rather than embedded

Circled in red on the right hand side..... hope it helps.

http://www.matthewames.co.uk/briskoda/20090410_rear_drums/wedge_key.png

Thank you very much, will try tomorrow, let yu know.