Date:         Sun, 6 Feb 2005 18:21:11 -0500
Reply-To:     Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: MC or Booster?

Hello, a bad booster means high braking effort to get the job done.A bad
master cyl means you need to pump up the brakes to stop.What you may have
is incorrectly installed rear shoes. If you get good straight stopping,
read on. How well does your parking brake work?If not so good, you may
have incorrectly installed rear shoes.If this is so, do this:Raise the
rear wheels off the ground,and then release the parking brake.Spin a wheel
and turn the star adjuster till slight drag is felt. Now release the
adjuster 1 notch. Go to the other wheel and do the same.Now test the
parking brake adjustment.Do this by pulling up on the handle.Pull up on
the handel and count the clicks needed to get a tight hold.Turn the nut
that is under the van where the 2 wheel cables come together until it
takes about 3 or 4 clicks to grab the drums real good.If you get iffy
parking brake preformance now ,and this gets progressivly worse in , say,
50 miles, you have incorrectly installed rear shoes.Would this be the soft
braking you talked about?You can also bleed your brakes (about 3 pints) to
purge any air that is hidding in the lines.Worn backing plates can cause
the shoes to be cockeyed and not grab the drums completely.This may show
itself as weak braking,and bad parking brake preformance.Also a bad
backing plate will have grooves worn in the bosses where the shoes
ride.this will cause a "clunk" every time you apply the brakes,and cause
cockeyed shoes.Maybe you have a leaking wheel cylinder or caliper piston.
How is the level of fluid in the master cylinder?JVanagons like to leak in
the wheel cylinder.They know it will cost you more money(ha Ha).Good
luck,Roger Sisler