Date: Fri, 23 Aug 2002 09:17:05 -0400
Reply-To: 72510.1173@COMPUSERVE.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Helen Fahy <72510.1173@COMPUSERVE.COM>
Subject: Vacuum Brake Booster
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I need some list help. Helen & I have a 1987 Westy, so that makes it about
15 years old. This also means that the vacuum brake booster 15 years old.
What is the list experience with this component? I would especially like to
hear from people with older 'Gons.
The reason this comes up is that I have a defective master cylinder- slowly
dropping pedal- so I would really like to do the job right the first time
and replace both components if that is good preventative maintenance. That
said, I do not want to throw money at the booster if it seldom if ever dies.
I am just a little worried about not replacing the booster. To quote Robert
De Niro from Ronin, "When there is doubt, there is no doubt."
I did take the MC apart. The forward piston seal (FIF) has a small divot
out of the edge. I was a bit suspicious as the rear brake linings had very
little wear. The piston material is aluminum and is very scored on the
bottom perimeter of the forward piston. It almost looks like this unit has
been rebuilt. Were there rebuild kits for the ATE MCs? I am just
interested, I have never rebuilt brake hydraulic components. The risk is
too high for me.
Two other questions. Does anyone have a schematic of the 3 terminal brake
pressure switches? My Westy came with 2 terminal brake pressure sensors(a
simple switch), the replacement came with 3 terminal switches. The third
terminal on both pressure switches are supposed to be logically anded to
supply a ground path for the brake warning light. This gives a warning when
one of the brake circuits is leaking. This is how the Buses were wired-
Thanks to Bus Boys for this information-. I do not have access to my
Bentley, so I am not sure about how the Vanagons are wired. Does anyone
know how the vanagon brake warning system is wired?
Helen & Joe Fahy
'87 Westy
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