Date:         Mon, 17 Apr 2000 16:19:37 -0700
Reply-To:     harald_nancy <harald_nancy@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         harald_nancy <harald_nancy@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Aaaaargh!  Brake failure (long)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Maybe your brakes fade and glaze, because of leaking brake fluid,
or oil or grease contaminating the rotors or pads, since it appears you
replaced everything, and the brakes should be in top notch shape.
Maybe something is still leaking somewhere.

This happened to me once. I was leaving on a trip to CA, and the
front pads on my previous 81 westy looked worn. I ran to the
nearest FLAPS and got a new set, popped them in, changed the fluid
and left on the trip. Off course, the brakes were squealing like hell, but
when I pushed hard enough, the van would come to a stop.
Then we came to this moderate, but long decline, where you come
out of Bonny Doon by Santa Cruz, to Hwy 1 and the brakes started to
literally burn up. Big smoke and stench. I thought the van would catch
on fire. Pulled over and let them cool down, and gently drove on.
Lesson learned. I think the overheating was caused by the exessive
vibration of the new pads on the worn rotor, which also made them squeal
like mad.
Since then I'm very careful about my brake jobs, and haven't
had a problem since. Personally I find the vanagon brakes quite adequate,
if all the components are working 100%.
1 always use OEM or dealer front pads.
2 always have front calipers rebuilt by a professional brake shop when
   replacing the pads, or buy new ones. I had very good success with a
  local  shop rebuilding my calipers using the dealer kit I gave them.
  They clean the calipers, hone the cylinders, and lubricate
  all the rubber parts. Always works like a charm. (Rapid Brake in Oly.)
3 change the brake fluid often and use dot 4 and keep bleeding them,
   till the pedal is firm.
4 replace the front rotors and install new grease seals, if in doubt.

It's a good idea to replace the rubber brake lines with new ones, but they
haven't given me any trouble yet on the 90 vanagon.
I find there is always some friction on the front pads, and the front hub
is almost always warm to the touch. Don't think that's any cause for alarm.
When I jack up the front, and rotate the wheel by hand, I can hear and feel
the pads slightly touching the rotor. I consider that normal. Its
important, that the friction you feel is even, without any high or low
spots.
The front brakes have to do most of the work, so I don't skimp on them
any more.
I hope this was long enough. :)
Harald
90 westy

----------
From: BRENT CHRISTENSEN <bchristensen@INFOGENESIS.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Aaaaargh!  Brake failure (long)
Date: Monday, April 17, 2000 1:32 PM

On-and-off braking is EXACTLY what I was doing.  I would let them cool for
20-40 seconds, then pulse them two or three times, then let them cool, etc.
That is what is so maddening about it.  I DID NOT drag or ride the brakes
any harder than one would HAVE to in order to drive normally over these
grades.

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy
Santa Barbara, CA