So, I got my seal kit, just about to finish off this morning and fit the backing plates etc, a quick trial fit looks good!

I asked a question on the FB page regarding the orientation of the backing plates, hand brake at the top or bottom as there seems to be a mix of opinions on that one! I was reading the bus boys instructions and they say top, but plenty of other sources say bottom. I have decided to stay at the bottom. I have the extensions tubes from Butties bits and I did read on another thread about putting these at the other end of the hand brake conduit to make the angle going into the backing plate a lot better? I think that came from VW jim, so going down that route!

When I bought all the bits for this, there was another set of complete backing plates, these look like they are Beetle with 30mm shoes, I assume these were there as most of the hardware (except shoes and cylinders) are used on T3 brakes, a quick look on various sites suggests that they are shared, springs, handbrake lever etc

and the T3 cylinders I got don't fit too well on the backing plates, had to elongate the holes slightly

Tony

Been plodding on with this, after fitting the front gearbox mounting plate upside down at first! Now corrected!

Everything is in place and bolted in, got round to fitting the brake shoes and drums and ran into a problem!

The drums appear to be right for the backing plates, but the shoes I ordered seem to be too big, they only just fit inside the rim of the backing plate, which could suggest the parts I bought as T3 are not what they seem!
The drums are correct, wide five, had to drill them and tap to M14
I got another set of backing plates which look to be off a beetle, these are smaller shoes, from what I remember, these were included as a source of parts such as the hand brake lever and bars that fit between the shoes etc

Is there any way to check I have the correct backing plates?

Thanks

Tony

Pictures would help

I know, but photo bucket is being an arse this morning on my laptop

Post now sorted, can't delete this.

Nothing working right for me on the www today!

If the photos show up, the first one, with the hand brake lever attached, is the T3 shoes, the second one is a shoe off the other set of backing plates I got, I'm assuming these are Beetle shoes

Tony

On my phone now and edited photo so it works, laptop is running like dog poo

Well, I thought I was buying t3 brakes, but it seems not!

Heres the drum with theT3 brake inside it

So what have you bought then???

Early bug wide 5 drums and backing plates, possibly the least effective braking system for a SA conversion?



Tony

I might be getting somewhere with this, but feel free to tell me if I am talking crap

On the the backing plates I have fitted, the block, into which the adjusters fit, sits further away from the back of the plate than the beetle backing plates I have with the skinny shoes on! This suggests the 40mm wide shoe off the later beetle would work as the 45mm T3 shoes I have do fit that way (with the diameter of them being too big)
I have a T3 cylinder fitted now and it seems to line up fine with the adjusters.
Also the drum goes on too far so needs spacers fitting, as sold by mr Butland!

Tony

the diameter of the shoe is obviously too big its pretty clear that aint right

Yes, not T3, they are beetle, just got to work out which wide beetle shoes will do the job

If you do have bug backing plates , they need to be the late 4 stud type so should have the 2 star adjuster holes in them . That looks correct on your photos . You then need wheel cylinders for a late bug as well . Shoes also need to be for a late bug 40mm wide the only parts that are different is the drum itself and the bearing retainer (should be an early bug one sits taller than a late one ) the spacer kit will then hold the drum in the correct place to allow it all to be done up .
Just looks like whoever sold you the backplates sold you 2 early plates and 2 late bug plates I guess .