Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2003 20:44:47 -0700
Reply-To: gary hradek <hradek@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: gary hradek <hradek@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Spongy Brakes
In-Reply-To: <5.2.0.9.2.20030617184528.00b4d578@pop.everyone.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Mike,
No adjustment on the rebuilt from kragens of
california but the damn spongy brakes stop better than
the hard ford brakes ever did. Key here about any
brakes is do they stop and yes they do but they just
do not feel hard. Maybe this is just an old fart
wearing out. thanks gary
--- mike boland <westy@mvboland.com> wrote:
> Gary,
> have you adjusted the master cylinder push rod? per
> Bentley?
>
> Mike
>
> At 03:44 PM 6/17/2003 -0700, you wrote:
> >Mike,
> > I have adjusted the rears so they just drag a
> bit
> >and the handbrake works well but the they work a
> bit
> >like blake's "The brakes are still spongy. As I
> >depress the pedal it increases in
> > resistance and then makes a tapping sound (like
> > hitting metal) and then depresses more."
> >It is not a firm brake but it does stop the van and
> it
> >will lock up the brakes so I am guessing its as
> good
> >as it gets for the wimpy master cylinder. Not the
> >firm feel of a ford. gary
> >
> >--- mike boland <westy@mvboland.com> wrote:
> > > Blake & Gary,
> > > you'll get good hard brakes if you adjust the
> rear
> > > shoes on the
> > > Vanagon. adjusting the rear shoes is a PIA. for
> > > starters the adjusting
> > > hole id difficult to find let alone see. I use a
> > > mirror and a brake
> > > adjusting "spoon" that I've grinded narrower to
> fit
> > > in the small
> > > hole. seems you have to adjust them every 2000
> /
> > > 3000 miles or so...
> > >
> > > adjust rear shoes with wheel in air (other
> wheels
> > > chocked for safety) spin
> > > wheel.. adjust till wheel turns about 90 ~ 180
> > > degrees per spin / not too
> > > tight. do other side.
> > >
> > > Mike
> > >
> > > At 02:12 PM 6/17/2003 -0700, you wrote:
> > > >Blake,
> > > > I have brakes too that I am not sure
> about.
> > > >If you hit the brakes hard? can yo lock up
> the
> > > >brakes? Seems to me that if you can lock
> them up
> > > it
> > > >does not matter if they are spongy. I just
> > > figured
> > > >it was a feature on the vanagon and the bug for
> > > that
> > > >matter. Never got that good hard feeling like
> the
> > > >ford. gary
> > > >Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2003 11:36:04 -0700
> > > >From: Steve W <croatoa@YAHOO.COM>
> > > >Subject: Re: Spongy Brakes (Help!)
> > > >
> > > >Blake,
> > > >If you have any concern about the rubber hoses
> > > >you need to replace them regaurdless. It
> soulds
> > > >like air in the system but I'm sure someone
> will
> > > >know more about it. It's always good to make
> > > >double sure your connections are tight. 20
> times
> > > >is good but the best way to go is to do it
> until
> > > >there are no air bubbles seen in the clear hose
> > > >or until the brake fluid look nice and new then
> > > >do a couple more for good measure. Good luck.
> > > >Steve
> > > >--- Blake Heinlein <blakeheinlein@YAHOO.COM>
> > > >wrote:
> > > > > Hi Everyone,
> > > > >
> > > > > I have an 84' Westy.
> > > > >
> > > > > Need some help with my spongy feeling
> brakes.
> > > > > Here is what I have done.
> > > > > -Replaced front brake pads with metalic pads
> > > > > (about 2 yrs ago)
> > > > > -Replaced master cylinder (last night)
> > > > > -Bleed brakes using two person system,
> > > > > depressing the pedal and hold. Open
> > > > > bleed valve and close before letting off the
> > > > > pedal. Repeat 20 times per
> > > > > wheel.
> > > > >
> > > > > The brakes are still spongy. As I depress
> the
> > > > > pedal it increases in
> > > > > resistance and then makes a tapping sound
> (like
> > > > > hitting metal) and then
> > > > > depresses more. The brakes kinda stop the
> van
> > > > > but when I slam on them,
> > > > > it's a little scary, not producing a
> positive
> > > > > feel.
> > > > >
> > > > > Here is what I think might be the problem:
> > > > > -The rubber brake hoses are old and starting
> to
> > > > > balloon.
> > > > > -Front brake pads aren't set right.
> > > > > -Not bleed properly.
> > > > >
> > > > > Now, What do you think! I need some
> > > > > experience.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks in advance,
> > > > >
> > > > > Blake Heinlein
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >__________________________________
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> >
> >
> >__________________________________
> >Do you Yahoo!?
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