Date:         Sun, 24 Mar 2002 11:23:55 -0800
Reply-To:     DaveC <voicebox@DNAI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         DaveC <voicebox@DNAI.COM>
Subject:      Re: 84 vangon trouble with breaks
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"

>I haved owned buses and vanagons for about 15 years now and have
>never been able to get my breaks to work properly.  I've always had
>to "double pump" them before they work.  I have tried bleeding the
>system .....many times...I have done it to spec of Bentely.  I just
>recently replaced the master cylinder and....still  I must doulble
>pump before they work.  There are no leaks. They are not mushy
>instead very loose on first pump then solid on the second.  I can't
>figure it out.  I am in need on this one.  Any Ideas?

Adjust the brake shoes in the rear.

The reason the pedal goes so far on the first push is because the
shoes haven't contacted the drum yet. A second pump catches the shoes
before the can retract all the way, and presses them to the drum.
Result: firm pedal on second try.

If you actually don't have a "spongy" pedal, this is the cause.

Dave
--
Dave Carpenter

Whatever you wish for me,
May you have twice as much.