How to Replace Emergency Brakes in a VW Beetle

The emergency brakes on your vehicle were originally used to stop it when the regular brakes failed. However, the brakes on a VW Beetle now rarely fail, and the emergency brakes are more often used to keep the vehicle from moving while parked. The most common source of failure for emergency brakes occurs when they aren't used for a period of time, causing the brake cable to rust and seize.

Instructions

1

Determine which type of emergency brakes your VW Beetle will need. Emergency brakes typically function by activating the regular braking system on the driving wheels. The emergency brakes for the VW Beetle use the rear wheels, which most often have drum brakes.

2

Raise the vehicle and remove the rear wheels with a socket wrench. Pull the rear brake drum from the rear axle and disconnect the retainers for the brake shoe hold-down springs.

3

Pull each brake shoe from the back plate in turn by pulling it against the upper spring. Detach the parking brake cable from the brake lever with a socket wrench and remove the brake shoe assembly from the vehicle.

4

Clamp the push rod that holds the shoes apart with a vise and remove the lower return spring, adjusting wedge spring, upper return spring, tensioning spring and adjusting wedge in that order. Disconnect the parking brake lever from the brake shoes with a socket wrench.

5

Clean the back plate and lubricate the shoe contact points with brake lubricant. Center the brake shoes on the backing plate and ensure the adjusting wedge is fully released before installing the drum.

6

Complete the installation by reversing the removal procedure. Apply the brake pedal a few times to adjust the brake shoes.