Date:         Tue, 3 Apr 2007 19:37:18 -0700
Reply-To:     Shawn Wright <vwdiesels@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Shawn Wright <vwdiesels@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Sticking front calipers
In-Reply-To:  <46111B70.168.48A57D0@vwdiesels.gmail.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

> On 1 Apr 2007 at 17:17, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> > 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.

Got the new calipers on tonight, very quick job, except the new guide pins they came with
were too small, so I ended up re-using the old ones. They were about 1mm smaller diameter
than the originals, so I guess there are different carriers out there? Or perhaps some sleeves
can be installed? Cost me $74 cdn each for rebuilt units w/o pads (I already had new pads).

Thanks for the advice, we'll see how these do in a few days.


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