Date:         Tue, 4 Sep 2001 22:32:07 -0700
Reply-To:     Matthew Pollard <poll7356@UIDAHO.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Matthew Pollard <poll7356@UIDAHO.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Soft brakes
Comments: To: Scott Kraning <OuiSki1@AOL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <29.1a26c37d.28c70156@aol.com>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

Sounds like a bad master cylinder. Reason with me: as you push on the
brake, a piston moves that forces oil down the lines to the brakes to
eventually stop your bus.  This piston that you are pushing has a few
O-rings and seals of sorts to keep the oil from spilling back past the
piston and it's housing when you jump on the brake pedal to stop ole'Roxy.
IF these seals (or the piston or housing) are starting to wear out, the
brakes are failing.  <snip> This is one possibility of soft brakes, but it
is also the possibility that i have seen the most </snip>

If i were you i'd carefully drive roxy to your favorite buddies house, or
a mechanic, and have the brakes at least looked at.

Ok, back to your regular programming
-m

Matthew Pollard          "Racing with the wind and flirting with death
Dept. Of Chemistry        So have a cup of coffee and catch your breath"
University of Idaho
www.uidaho.edu/~poll7356



On Wed, 5 Sep 2001, Scott Kraning wrote:

> Hi all -
>
> I am trying to decide if I need to run Roxy (88 Westy) in for an immediate
> brake job or ride it out awhile. The problem is a bit of a soft brake pedal.
> Seems to be a little less there than what it used to be. I can usually pump
> it a couple times and get a little more pedal, but it is getting a little
> softer and a little closer to the floor. Pads are at about 50% and brake
> fluid is at the max line...any ideas what could be causing this - bad master
> cyl. maybe??
>
> Thanks,
>
> Scott K.
>