Date: Sun, 25 Nov 2001 11:57:45 -0600
Reply-To: Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Subject: Re: Serious brake question
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I'd start by checking the vacuum at the engine and follow the line to the
front checking it all the way. Then check the two check valves, the one
in the engine compartment and on the vacuum booster. Possibly the sealing
ring on the master cylinder slipped and got pinched.
There is an outside chance that you got a defective part.
Type DOT 4 brake fluid helped my system but just a little.
Then there is always the situation where you just have let them wear in
to really see.
Stan Wilder
On Sun, 25 Nov 2001 12:32:42 -0500 Vanagon Man <puzerewski@MSN.COM>
writes:
> Volks,
> I am having a brake issue with my 81 that is truly puzzling. I have
> done
> brake work on several vanagons, and seem to get good results, on one
> van i
> know ofjust touch the pedal and you will hit the window!!!!!
> However on my
> personal daily driver my brakes SUCK!
>
> Here is what I have done.
>
> New pads/rotors both sides including new pins and pad plates
> New rubber flex lines on all corners
> New rear brake springs
> New rear pads and drums
> New master cylinder
> Rebuilt brake booster
>
> As you can see, you name it, i have replaced it, and they still
> suck.
>
> Last Tuesday i pressure bled the system, and same result.
>
> Here are the symptoms. Pedal is not harm or firm......spongy. I
> have done
> a complete fluid change with the same results....nothing seems to
> be
> leaking. The rear drums are adjusted, and the e brake holds on the
> third
> click.
>
> The only thing that i can think of is just maybe the brake
> adjusting
> mechanism is backwards. There is no good pic in any of my repair
> manuals of
> how the forked end on the adjustment bar goes..........I only do one
> side at
> a time when i do brakes, so i did not mismatch parts, although a
> previous
> owner may have..............If anyone has a pic of a correctly put
> together
> set of brake shoes on the rear of a vanagon, please send it on...i
> might be
> bale to see how that fork should go.
>
> They should stop on a dime, and they do not. It feels like i need
> to pump,
> but pumping does not help. hold them to the floor and they never
> "lock up"
> any ideas would sure help.......other than that my van is running
> great!!!
> I do a lot of mountain traveling, and thus need better brakes.
>
> Adam P
> 81 westy (3 of them)
> 74 beetle
> 73 Transporter (at paint shop!)
> 70 Single Cab "Whitey"
> Vanagon Partsmobiles
>
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