As some of you may well know if i have purchased a 1.0 MK3 Polo Coupe for my little brother. We are getting around to doing the MOT repairs but i have hit a stumbling block. When trying to replace the rear flexis the n/s/r wheel cylinder fell apart. I purchased a new one and fitted this along with the n/s/r brake shoes. On trying to re-fit the drum it was a real struggle to get the drum over the shoes. It went on eventually but then because it was on so tight the wheel would not turn.

I have contacted the motor factors that i purchased the cylinder from and was told that they have given me the 19mm bore cylinder instead of the 16mm bore. So today i bought the 16mm bore cylinder and fitted it tonight. Guess what..... same problem. Although it isnt as tight as what it was before.

The brake shoes are definately the correct parts as I've already checked that. Any ideas what I'm doing wrong?

yeah theres a spring loaded wedge in the brake shoe assembly. when before you put the drum back on, you;ll need to make sure it at the narrowest point and as far up as it will go

Have you tried adjusting the hand brake?

I had the same problem when I did all my rear brakes.

Thanks for the advice guys. I am waiting on new handbrake cables arriving which i have to fit anyway so these will go on tonight and i will take it from there.

Thanks again

yeah theres a spring loaded wedge in the brake shoe assembly. when before you put the drum back on, you;ll need to make sure it at the narrowest point and as far up as it will go

optima has hit the nail on the head...

I was baffled for 5 minutes using a hammer trying to get the drum over the pads - but pulled my haynes out and pushed the little wedge up and voila - done job!

Does anyone have a picture of how a complete mk3 polo brake shoe setup should look like. I've pulled this one apart and cant seem to get it piece back together. My friendly mechanic mate is not here right now :sad:

There you go :-)

Well done that man. You are a legend and have just saved me hours of swearing and throwing springs about the workshop.

Cheers dude :-D

Just bled the brakes and the pedal still feels softer than what it did before i started all the brakes. Taking into consideration its new brake flexis front to back and new pipes on the rear aswell. When looking into the engine bay the brake servo, cylinder and reservoir were on the left hand side behind the steering wheel. So i first bled the n/s/r, then the o/s/r, then n/s/f and finally o/s/f.

Any idea why the pedal is still soft(ish)?

Edited 6 August, 200719 yr by scottyd