Date:         Mon, 13 Mar 2000 08:52:52 -0800
Reply-To:     BRENT CHRISTENSEN <bchristensen@INFOGENESIS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         BRENT CHRISTENSEN <bchristensen@INFOGENESIS.COM>
Subject:      Mushy brake pedal question
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;

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



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