Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
86 10 ... Adjusting Brake System
Proper adjustment of the brake system is only possible if the brake Bowden cables and all brake system moving parts move freely and are ready for operation.
The wheels must be completely fitted and able to rotate freely. Always adjust both brake sides. The left and right sides are adjusted in the same way.
Pull out overrunning equipment (1) fully in direction of arrow.
Reversing lever (1) must rest directly on innerlying tow tube of overrunning brake.
Screw brake linkage (1) into nut (2) until distance (3) (nut (2) - end of brake linkage (1)), is 10 - 15mm. Lock brake linkage (1) in position with nut (4).
Check distance (3) and nuts (2, 4) with brake linkage installed.
Insert pull rod (1) in brake compensator (2) and screw nut (3) onto pull rod (2).
Tighten nut (3) until pull rod (1) is free of play.
Check pull rod (1) already fitted for zero play.
Hook tension spring (1) to tension spring mount (2).
Installation:
The brake shoes are adjusted in two work steps. In the first step, the distance between the lower half of the brake shoes and the brake drum is adjusted. In the second step, the distance between the upper half of the brake shoes and the brake drum is adjusted.
Rotate road wheel (1) in direction of travel and simultaneously turn adjusting screw (2) in direction of arrow.
Tighten adjusting screw (2) until road wheel (1) can no longer be turned.
Turn adjusting screw (1) in direction of arrow and release slowly until road wheel (2) can rotate.
Finish adjustment procedure when slight grinding noises can be heard in lower brake shoe halves.
Firmly tighten handbrake lever three to five times.
Depending on road wheel side, tighten nut (1) or (2) until slight grinding noises can be heard in upper brake shoe halves.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.