55o Beck doesn't want to roll

It's almost as there's a brake ( drum brakes all around)stuck or the E-brake is partially on. When I drive it, it overcomes the resistance.

or... could my transaxle be low on lube? I don't know the proper way to check it. Could low lube cause this same symptom?

Jack up the car......Rotate each wheel with the car in neutral and the parking brake off.....They should rotate easily with only the slightest drag from the brake shoes......Each wheel has two adjusters, one for each shoe......One at a time adjust each until the shoes just barely drag on the drums....Stomp on the pedal a few times, then adjust them again if they no longer drag, or become too tight.....

Owning one of these cars, requires fairly constant maintenance.....I would recommend having both a Haynes repair manual, and John Muir's HOW TO KEEP YOUR VOLKSWAGEN ALIVE .
The data and quick fixes will pay for the books......Good luck...

Thank you, the Haynes book, is Type 1 VW the name of the particular book or VW ce?rtain years

Bettle and Ghia 1954-1973........

Seems to me that is the master cylinder

great advise, thank you all

The possibility of pushrod adjustment, as A. Lopez has suggested...

to elaborate the pushrod that connects the brake pedal to the master cylinder may be adjusted in too far. This can be checked by carefully pushing on the brake pedal by hand and observing about 1/8" of pedal travel before the rod pushes even slightly on the master cylinder. There is a 12 or 13mm locknut on the shaft that will have to be loosened, then the push rod itself can be screwed in or out to properly adjust. Then of course retighten the locknut. I have had 3 Speedsters, 2 VW's, and one Spyder and have not found this rod properly adjusted in a car yet, as purchased....

If the master cylinder is mounted very low (and it probably is) then the builder likely put a residual valve in the lines. Normally one for each circuit. Something to be aware of, there are two common residual valves. These come with different residual pressures depending on application. I've seen 2 pound up to 10 pound. These maintain a "residual" pressure in the line when your foot is off the brake so that the fluid doesn't all try to fly backward to the low spot (the master cylinder). Kind of simplified, but that's how they work.

With residual valves in place, the 2 pound ones can barely if at all be felt when you are rotating the tire. The 10 pound one makes a bit of drag.

Perhaps this is the issue? As long as nothing is heating up, e.g. your hubs or your drums, when you drive, then you likely have nothing to worry about.

angela

Had the exact thing happen -- the rod between the pedal and the master cylinder was too tight it adjust there should be a small amount of play. The piston goes in but dosen't comeback far enough and it you pressurize the system more and more.