Well, just thought I would give everyone an update on my problem this week with the mushy brakes. To refresh the collective memory, I did a *complete* front end brake job, including replacing the rotors and rebuilding the calipers, then adjusted the rears up to the point where they were dragging (too much). I bled the heck out of them using an EZ-Bleed and the manual method (both). After all this, the brakes still required a pump before feeling solid. Well, today, I pulled the rear drums and mic'd them - sure enough - the drums were 0.060 over the max spec. (Sorry, the micrometer only measures in 1,000th's). As luck would have it, I mic'd the old rotors and they still had plenty of meat on them, so I went in and had them turned (and now I have them as spares.) I have ordered replacement drums from a list vendor, and I suspect that fitting the new drums along with the new shoes will solve the problem. (as you predicted, Colby). I'll report back when that is confirmed (hopefully). BTW - I also found that the wheel cylinders that I had replaced to the tune of about $300 back in June of last year were leaking. We had a failure on a cross-country trip and had them fixed in a tiny little town in the middle of nowhere. Evidently, the "parts house" that delivered to that little burg supplied very expensive ($50 each!) but inferior Vanagon parts (surprise) This also explains why the bleeder screws were 8mm instead of 7mm. :-) I also ordered new "German" cylinders from a list vendor. Thank you Vanagon List!!!!! Brent Christensen '89 GL Syncro Westy Santa Barbara, CA |
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