Date:         Mon, 16 Apr 2001 23:47:25 -0500
Reply-To:     CTONLINE@WEBTV.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Terry Kay <CTONLINE@WEBTV.NET>
Subject:      Rear Brake Saga Pt. 2
Content-Type: Text/Plain; Charset=US-ASCII

Moms and Dads,Boys and Girls,

This one is hard to believe, even for me.

I removed the rear drums today and sent them out to be cut.

Now mind you that these drums and brake shoes are not more than 6 mos
old, purchase from a reputable (?) on line VW source.

I get a phone call about an hour later from the machine shop, who is
doing the cutting, and tells me the drums are junk.
Of course, I tell them in so many words that their nuts.

They tell me that these cheap drums are so thin and warped that there is
no more cutting to be had.

I make a phone call to my local VW dealer, and order a set of rear
shoes, and drums, which they get to me this afternoon.

I take them to the machine shop and tell the guy, to make a first cut in
the drums.
Don't just make a thin pass, I want them cut.

I get them back, and match the inner radius of the drums to the shoes,
which is perfect. ( Thanks Rich)

Upon, removal of the shoes on the van, I noticed that the inner most
portion of the shoes, was thin and the outer was thicker.

The mail-order / on line drums had a taper to the inside !!
I can't figure out, this phenomena, because I had the drums "trued"
prior to installation.
I remember telling the guy at the auto parts store to just make clean up
pass, no deep cuts.

So I screwed up, by not taking a deep cut.

I know I received sub standard parts, as I never had to cut
drums---ever, prior to installation.

Now they are as sweet as new, and after unloading my wallet twice, The
job is done, perfectly.

So, listen my children and you shall hear, of this dismal time in my
Vanagon repair career. ( ? )

Take nothing for granted, Don't expect the best,

When your buying the stuff, from some on-line express.

New resolution------ And advise for all,
Always take a deep first cut on any brake drums, and /or rotors prior to
installation, and make sure they are true, and match the shoes to the
inner radius of the drums.

And don't buy cheap---It will turn around and bite you in the ass every
time !!

Thanks to all who contributed with helpful suggestions, yesterday and
today.

Later,

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Terry 85 GL