Date: Sat, 7 Dec 2002 22:33:38 -0600
Reply-To: Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Subject: Re: 82 westy brake troubles
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
When removing the old pads I noticed the left front pads were unevenly
worn. What would cause this? a bad sticking piston within the caliper?
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Old calipers often stick, sometimes the rubber seal is pinched.
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Reinspected the entire hydraulic system for any signs of leaking but
found nothing.
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If you're loosing any fluid it could be going in your brake booster.
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Now when I apply the brakes I frequently loose my brake pedal!
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If your engine goes to a very low RPM, it can cause loss of vacuum to the
booster.
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It goes soft and I must pump it up.
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If pumping it up is necessary I'd suspect that the Master Cylinder is
loosing pressure. This wouldn't cause an external leak the fluid is just
bypassing the seal. You can wipe out an old master cylinder if .......
when you bleed the brakes you pump the old cylinder hard enough to make
it pass into damaged or corroded cylinder walls below what has been the
normal operating stroke of the cylinder.
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Also when I am turning I here an occasional squealing and or dragging.
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I can't explain that in any way other than it must be the low speed and
your callipers aren't floating back to a neutral location. Its a very
slight backing off but adequate for no contact clearance.
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How do I determine if I need to replace a caliper?
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Most likely your calipers are the full 20 years old just like the rest of
your van, I'd plan on replacing them although it isn't an emergency
situation.
I found one more interesting thing when I replaced my complete front and
rear braking systems. The old brake lines had interior clearance about
the size of a round toothpick or less, the new hoses have about 1/8" line
ID. This condition could prohibit the normal return to neutral position
of your calipers.
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Could my problem be as simple as just bleeding the system? Could my
master cylinder be going bad ? AGAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thanks
gatorxray@earthlink.net
Mike
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