Date:         Mon, 1 Nov 2004 13:00:02 -0700
Reply-To:     jimt <wetwesty@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         jimt <wetwesty@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Subject:      Re: variable brake pedal travel
Comments: To: Craig Oda <craigoda@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <b3a1e7ad04110110573a0afa5a@mail.gmail.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"

On 11/1/04 11:57 AM, "Craig Oda" <craigoda@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> Is there a recommended way to check the front bearings for play?  Jack
> up the van and jiggle the front wheels around from the outside?
> 
> 
> On Mon, 1 Nov 2004 06:11:12 +0000, Chris DeLong <green536@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> Check your front wheel bearings to make sure they have no play. If they are
>> loose then as you drive they can wobble and compress the caliper piston.
>> This will cause you to have to pump the pedal a bit to get a firm pedal.
>> Then after you stop the pedal will be fine until you drive again.
>> 
>> jsut a thought..
>> 
>> Chris DeLong
>> Fine Tuning
>> 206.522.5503
>> www.finetuningperformance.com
>> Seattle, WA USA
>> 
>>> From: Jonathan Poole <jfpoolio@GMAIL.COM>
>>> Reply-To: Jonathan Poole <jfpoolio@GMAIL.COM>
>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>> Subject: variable brake pedal travel
>>> Date: Sun, 31 Oct 2004 23:07:28 -0600
>> 
>> 
>>> 
>>> Reguarding the strange braking problem,
>>> 
>>> My Vanagon has displayed the same irregular and typically long brake
>>> pedal travel.  After checking the rest of the system, bleeding it,
>>> adjusting rear shoes, and replacing all hoses I rebuilt the MC.  My
>>> problem perstisted and so I bought a new MC.  I still have the problem
>>> and have decided that it is caused by improperly adjusted rear brake
>>> shoes.  The reason I didn't notice this at first is that I typically
>>> adjust the shoes out to the point where you can just slip the drum on.
>>>  My drums have recesses where the shoes contact the drum.  This recess
>>> means that while it is hard to slip the drum on the shoe is still
>>> loose.  Another reason while I believe that the problem originates at
>>> the rear wheels for me is that just after releasing the parking brake
>>> my pedal always feels great (doesn't travel far).  I just wanted to
>>> add some information.  Also if anyone wants a rebuilt mc just let me
>>> know..
>>> 
>>> Jonathan Poole
>>> '82 westy
>> 
>> _________________________________________________________________
>> Don't just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search!
>> http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/
>> 
> 
> 
That is correct.  If it wiggles heavily you may need to replace them.  If it
is just a slight wiggle try tightening the nut to specs and try again.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
jimt
Planned insanity is best.
Remember that sanity is optional.
http://www.tactical-bus.info (tech info)
http://www.westydriver.com