VANAGON archives -- August 2006, week 4 (#348)

Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 13:42:46 -0700 Reply-To: Shawn Wright <vwdiesels@GMAIL.COM> Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> From: Shawn Wright <vwdiesels@GMAIL.COM> Subject: Re: Brake Problem or Nature of the Beast? In-Reply-To: <20060827191206.18887.qmail@web33314.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I would start with flushing the system using new DOT 4 fluid. If you're getting fade that bad just from leaving the e-brake on, chances are your fluid is old and has a lowered boiling point from absorbing moisture. This will cause corrosion in the system, especially the rear cylinders. I change it every 2 years as recommended, by having someone pump the pedal while I open each bleeder in turn. Once the fluid runs clear, move to the next wheel. It will probably be rust coloured to start with. Might as well do the clutch while you're there, since they share a reservoir. Be careful not to let the tank go below min - I usually fill right up, then bleed a wheel, and have the "pumper" watch the fluid level. Use short (1/2 -3/4) strokes while pumping brakes to avoid damaging seal on cylinder ridge.

On 27 Aug 2006 at 12:12, mad madeline <mac10wv@YAHOO.COM> wrote:

> After purchasing my '87 Westy, I drove it home 350 miles. > At the beginning of the trip, I accidently left the emergency brake on for > about 5-10 miles at freeway speeds. Didn't realize it until I used the brake > pedal to slow down, and found there was no pedal! The brake pedal worked > after I pumped it a few times. I pulled off the freeway (brake pedal barely > worked), and read the manual, which seemed to indicate this brake fade might > happen when the emergency brake is left on while driving and things heat-up. > After the car cooled off, the brakes worked again. However, I notice driving > the van that it does not come to a stop easily. I don't remember how it felt > before this happened, and its been a few years since I've driven a vanagon. > > I thought maybe the front brakes didn't work so: > I pulled the front week and checked the calipers and find they do operate. The > pads are in great shape ( 0.5 inches). The rotors are too at 16.65 mm. There > is no brake fluid leak from the cylinders (or anywhere else). > > Could other brake components be bad? The master cylinder does not leak. Not > sure ow to tell if the Power assist servo is working. > > Could it be that I am too used to driving newer cars and the slower braking is > the nature of the beast? > > Don > > > > > --------------------------------- > How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger´s low PC-to-Phone call rates.

Shawn Wright http://members.shaw.ca/vwdiesels '88 Westy 1.6TD 5 speed '85 Jetta Diesel 1.6NA

Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!

Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com

The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.