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Date:         Sat, 29 Jul 2006 17:51:15 -0700
Reply-To:     "Mike \"Rocket J Squirrel\" Elliott" <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Mike \"Rocket J Squirrel\" Elliott" <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Brakes oddness
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

I've been driving Mellow Yellow around a bit lately. I just returned from a four-night camping trip (without Mrs Squirrel, alas, she had a conference in Louisiana to attend) up at Big Bear Lake, in Southern California. Thing about climbing up to camp at 6,500 feet, is that one must return to a lower elevation when the trip is done. This requires going downhill, for a considerable distance.

While trundling around the lake, exploring the area, I was surprised a couple times by the brake pedal going to the floor. I could brake if I pushed a bit, and could pump the pedal up for normal operation if I wanted to. After exhibiting this behavior for about five minutes, everything returned to normal. But it was disquieting: when one is expecting a long downhill in a couple days, any change in behavior in the brake system is cause for concern.

Obviously I did not plunge off the side of the highway into a deep ravine and die a horrible death of screaming metal and fire, else I would not be writing this, showing my stunning lack of knowledge about things automotive. The brake system performed normally the rest of the trip and brought me home safely. Mrs Squirrel will be pleased, I reckon. Before I take her out for our next trip together, though, I bet I better have this mechanical issue put safely behind me, so . . . what to look for?

--

Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott 71 Type 2: the Wonderbus 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana") 74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano KG6RCR


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