Date:         Sun, 1 Apr 2007 17:17:43 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Sticking front calipers
In-Reply-To:  <d11.7090a54.33415196@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

I have never seen a piston fall out of a caliper while it was hangin with
the pads reoved. it was either forced out by some one steeping on the pedal
or there is another problem such as the master cylinder is all the way home
or the inlet check is plugged and thermal expansion of the fluid pushed the
pistons out.

Vanagon calipers are generally available, rebult, in a day or two through
local parts suppliers. They are not terribly expensive for what they are.
"Loaded" units come complete with pads and all the shims, silencers, etc. to
do the job right. Repalce the hoses also if you can't remember when they
were last done. Proper brake jobs include servicing the hydraulics. Sticking
or rubbing brakes can also heat up and cuase failure of the front wheel
bearings. A rotor can get hot enough to crack and have a piece fall out
cuasing a sudden lock up as the broken rotor jams on the pad. Seen it.
Going on a trip knowing you have brake problem is a major act of negligence.
Get them fixed right.

Dennis


>From: Jeff Oxroad <Oxroad@AOL.COM>
>Reply-To: Oxroad@AOL.COM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Sticking front calipers
>Date: Sun, 1 Apr 2007 14:19:02 EDT
>
>In a message dated 4/1/2007 7:55:59 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
>vwdiesels@GMAIL.COM writes:
>
>I
>suspect once on the highway, provided I don't apply the brakes, they will
>back off after a while (or wear off...),
>
>
>Yeah, they won't. The problem is the piston is sticking and it'll "adjust"
>it's sticking in a way that will make the pad continue to drag--and that's
>a
>best case scenario. At a minimum you probably won't get too far in an
>atempt to
>run it for 1000 miles at highway speeds. Worse case is it sticks all
>together
>and doesn't release.
>
>Some scenarios you might fin are glazing the pad and losing braking power.
>It's possible the heating of the braking components on the troubled wheel
>and
>just the simple sticking could result in it seizing up around the rotor.
>Ever
>been travelling at 60 and have one front wheel lock up?
>
>Even if you got really lucky on this one, at a bare minimum your braking
>will
>be uneven.
>
>On a less important note you run the risk of compromising other parts in
>the
>area. The rotor could warp from the heat. I'm not sure waht else exactly,
>but
>none of it is good.
>
>But in case I was too subtle with the "one front wheel locking up" crack:
>you
>can't take this vehicle on 1000 mile trip. Your braking system isn't the
>one
>you want to be "hoping" will work when you KNOW it's malfunctioning.
>Arguably
>it's the most important system in the vehicle--if you don't count your own
>cardio-vascular system.
>
>Installing a new caliper is a pretty quick repair. If it were me I'd
>replace
>both left and right, although I'm not sure this is required. Logic would
>dictate the New caliper will work better than the old one on the other
>side. But
>I'm sure there are those who might argue it makes no sense to replace both.
>I
>would still say I would replace both as a pair. IF this is not "required"
>then
>it's your choice.
>
>I don't know where you are in California. Here in SoCal there are options
>to
>get the caliper same day. Some cheaper than others. BMA on Victory in
>Burbank
>has good prices on OEM calipers.
>
>If you're holding out for a good price on the calipers you're waiting for,
>I'd argue the money saved isn't worth the potential damage, personal injury
>that
>could come from your situation.
>
>Either way, you've gotta fix it before you go anywhere.
>
>Good Luck.
>Best,
>Jeff
>83.5 Westy
>
>
>
>
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