VAR Forum

Has anybody experience of taking out for replacement brake plungers on a '27 12/4? Ideally mine need renewing I have removed the little tin cover which goes over the cam actuator but where do we go from there?
Mike Gibson

I had the same problem when stripping my front axle
You need to remove the cable arm and then remove the cam lever shaft from the swivel hub. Then push up the brake shoe wedge and hold down the brass collet retainer with long nose pliers and remove the 2 split collets similar to those holding the valve springs in the engine.
A fiddly job made easier if you can have a second pair of hands.
I lost one of my collets and had to make a new one in my lathe - they are different to engine valve collets.
Once you remove the collets you can pull the brake wedge downwards to remove it, the spring comes out upwards and needs fishing out from inside the king pin.
Hope this helps.
Rob

Thank you Rob, most helpful.I think I can do this but will wait until next winter when I have more time.I have just relined the brakes,fitted new cables and will need to re-bush the brake pin holders at some time as there is wear.They have lasted 92 years so not bad.