Date:         Mon, 13 Mar 2000 14:45:53 -0800
Reply-To:     Stuart MacMillan <stuart@COBALTGROUP.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stuart MacMillan <stuart@COBALTGROUP.COM>
Organization: The Cobalt Group
Subject:      Re: Mushy brake pedal question
Comments: To: BRENT CHRISTENSEN <bchristensen@INFOGENESIS.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Brent, pull up the parking brake and see if you get a firm pedal on the
first pump.  If so, your  rear brakes are out of adjustment.  If not,
you could try replacing all the hoses.

Did you put the calipers on the correct sides?  It may be impossible to
switch them on the Vanagon, but be sure the bleed nipple is at the top
of the caliper or you will always have trapped air.

At 4-6mm  it is time to replace your rears anyway.  No special tools are
needed, just patience.  Do one side at a time so you have the other for
reference.  Have the drum turned too if there is any scoring or a ridge
on the outer edge.

> BRENT CHRISTENSEN wrote:
>
> Well, my battle against the mushy brake pedal continues...
>
> After completing a *complete* front brake job (new rotors,
> semi-metallic pads, caliper rebuild), I adjusted up the rear brakes in
> an attempt to get rid of excess pedal travel.   The pedal feels
> better, but it still improves after pumping once before stopping.
> Unfortunately, the car is now pulling a bit to one side, and after my
> 12 mi commute this AM, I noticed that both drums were HOT.  Guess I
> tightened them up too much. :-(
>
> How the heck am I going to get the pedal to feel better???  I have
> bled the system to death (In fact I used an EZ-Bleed and ran about 1
> qt of fluid through the system.)  Even used the "wife method" with no
> sign of air in the system.  No matter what I do, the pedal still
> always seems mushy on the first pump, then stiffens up to where it
> feels it should be.
>
> BTW, the rear linings have about 4-6 mm left, but are a tad glazed  (I
> didn't have time to change the linings)  - also, will a normal brake
> tool from a FLAPS work on the Vanagon drum brakes (you know, the one
> with the spring stretcher on once side and the spring
> depresser/rotater on the other side)
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Brent Christensen
> '89 GL Syncro Westy
> Santa Barbara, CA
>

--
Stuart MacMillan
Manager, Case Program
800-909-8244 ext. 8208

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