Date:         Tue, 23 Mar 2004 21:26:59 -0500
Reply-To:     Joy Hecht <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Joy Hecht <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Very soft brake pedal unless it is pumped?
In-Reply-To:  <B168EAEE247BB248B87A08A94F43535BAA71@redline02.ctsr.local>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Given my general level of knowledge of auto mechanics, I hesitate to reply
to this - but as no one else has...  Back before my Honda Civic got stolen
my brake pedal went soft in that way.  Had to replace the master cylinder.
So perhaps that could be it on your van, if you've bled the brakes.


Joy

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of Kurt Camealy
> Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2004 1:54 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Very soft brake pedal unless it is pumped?
>
>
> Well I bled the brakes as advised and the problem went away.  At least
> for a few days...  Now the pedal is slowly getting softer each day.
> Again I can pump it twice and it firms right back up.  The pedal also
> doesn't keep falling once it reaches its firm point if I hold it down.
> I am assuming air is entering my system somewhere.  The only problems I
> had when doing the work below was a slightly leaking rear drum cylinder
> if the piston comes out too far and I also accidentally dropped one of
> the front calipers and it stopped hard hanging by the flex line.
> However over these few days I have checking that front line and there is
> no fluid leakage and the reservoir has not dropped at all.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> Kurt
> 87 Wolfsburg GL
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of Kurt Camealy
> Sent: Friday, March 19, 2004 1:27 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Very soft brake pedal unless it is pumped?
>
> I just replaced my front bearings (requiring removal of the calipers)
> and my rear brake shoes.  When I went to test drive the car the pedal
> went almost to the floor and then slowly stopped the van.  I followed
> the Bentley exactly on the rear drum adjustment.  I even tightened the
> adjusters until there was drag on the drums then backed off a couple
> clicks.  The emergency brake works great as well.  The system was never
> opened in the front or rear so what is going on?  If I pump the pedal
> the travel is greatly reduced and it firms up to stop the vehicle.  It
> also doesn't appear to sink after pumping until the next time I go to
> brake.  I am leaving for a trip tomorrow and have no clue what is going
> on?
>
>
>
> HELP!
>
>
>
> Kurt
>
> 97 Wolfsburg GL
>