Date:         Wed, 20 Oct 2004 09:59:31 -0700
Reply-To:     jeff@VANAGONPARTS.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeff at Vanagonparts <jeff@VANAGONPARTS.COM>
Subject:      Re: Rear disk brakes - proportioning valves?
In-Reply-To:  <41765459.60404@fyi.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

This is exactly why anyone who's considering putting rear disc brakes (or
aftermarket fronts) on their Vanagon should buy them from a vendor in
Germany who has put his product through the TUV process.  The TUV requires a
complete engineering review and testing process to ensure that the product
is safe and effective.

Installing some guys "homegrown" braking solution on your daily driver is
about as smart as playing Russian roulette with a semi-automatic.

Happy braking.

Cheers,

Jeff
www.vanagonparts.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Eric Zeno
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 5:05 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Rear disk brakes - proportioning valves?


David Marshall wrote:

>Small Car uses some pretty large discs for their conversion - bigger than
>the Audi 5000S quattro I used to own.  Does their kit include a
>proportioning valve so that you don't lock your rear brakes before the
front
>brakes or is this already built into the Vanagon, if so, is it adjustable?
>
>Their kit looks good, and more is always better on the braking department,
>but you want less on the rear than the front or at least the front locking
>ALWAYS before the rear.  What is done to ensure this?
>
                   Dave, etal,
                I reserve to comment on this for fear of more
arguments,  but this is
of extreme importance to balance  brakes.   The manufacture goes thru
tons of testing
to ensure the most ideal setup.  A typical example of this is the VW
jetta.  The
pass. load changes so dramatically, that on the newer vehicles, the
proportioning valve
automatically adjust according to suspension height.
                       On any vehicle, If the front to rear do not
have the exact amount of braking needed you have a lock up situation.
One rear
wheel locked up is bad, both rear wheels in a slight bend is
devistationg.  Total
control will be lost, unless you have a ton of driving experience at
high speed lock ups.
fornt wheel lock ups mean you just go straight, but still the ideal
situation is all wheel
get even braking and do not lock.  This situation is all most
imposiible  to ensure,
with changing conditions, and this is why ABS  is so popular.
            Bottom line, changing to custom brakes is a BIG waste of
money on the vanagon.
Your better off, ensuring the condition of the stock setup.
                                                        Eric



>
>Right now on my Syncro TriStar with the Audi 5000S/100/200 brakes on the
>front [cross drilled and slotted with some PBR Metal Master pads] I can
lock
>the fronts with no problems.  Pedal feel is fantastic too.  A literal night
>and day difference and well worth the time and money to do the upgrade!
>Can't really see how much more rear discs will help the situation unless I
>am carrying a lot of weight in back or hauling a trailer, but then I want
to
>*guarantee* that they will not lock up before the fronts or else I will be
>doing a nice ballet dance on the highway, which isn't good.
>
>David Marshall
>
>Fast Forward Automotive Inc.
>4356 Quesnel-Hixon Road
>Quesnel BC Canada  V2J 6Z3
>
>http://www.fastforward.ca    mailto:sales@fastforward.ca
>Phone: (250) 992 7775        FAX: (250) 992 1160
>
>- Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
>- Vanagon, Transporter and Iltis Sales and Importation
>- European Lighting for most Volkswagen models
>
>
>Due to the large volume of email  we  receive,  PLEASE  include  previous
>emails when responding.  This will allow us to read the complete dialogue
>in one message and will result in quicker and more  accurate  responses.
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
>Of Kim Brennan
>Sent: October 19, 2004 7:04 PM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Rear disk brakes
>
>
>Spend money on the rear brakes. it is worth it in a Vanagon. You have
>no idea how much of a difference rear disk brakes make ON THE VANAGON
>(other cars may be different). Yes, it is nice when trailering. It is
>nice at other times as well.
>
>
>On Oct 19, 2004, at 6:58 PM, David Marshall wrote:
>
>
>
>>Why spend money on the rear brakes?  Make sure there are fresh shoes
>>there
>>and you are set.  70% of your braking is done at the front brakes -
>>this is
>>of course unless you do a lot of heavy trailer hauling.  Going to Audi
>>100
>>
>>
>
>
>
>