Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2007 11:57:29 +0000
Reply-To: kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Wheel cylinders with oem spring?
Shawn,
I have found that this pedal pump issue is caused by one of two things. Either your rear brakes are not adjusted properly or your master cylinder is going bad. I too had this issue with my 91 Vanagon for the last six years. To be fair the van has been off the road for the last four years and I just put it back on the road, but it has had the problem the entire time I have had the van. When I put the van back on the road I decided to do the "full monty" on the brakes so I did front and rear brakes (new everything). I still had the problem. I adjusted the rear brakes until I had awesome e-brake but still had the problem. Replaced the master cylinder and that was the culprit.
So I would check your rear brakes first. I adjust them until they just start to touch the drum. You should be able to slide the drums on easily (good drum with no lip around the edge- either new or machined) but hear a slight drag when you turn the drum. When you pull up on the e-brake you should get three clicks at the most before full engagement. This is proper rear brake adjustment. If you don't adjust them out far enough then they won't adjust and you will get the "pump the brakes" problem because the shoes are going out on the first pump and not hitting the drums until the pedal is too far down. On the second pump they are already out there close to the drums from the first pump so the pedal comes up. Think of pumping a hydraulic jack.
I sell the ATE rear wheel cylinders which are OE. Any other brake parts you might need we have in stock. I even have OE ATE rear brake shoes as well and rear brake spring kits. Just let me know if I can be of service. Just be sure to mention your list membership in the "comments" section to get your 5% discount.
Hope this helps,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
-------------- Original message --------------
From: Shawn Wright <vwdiesels@GMAIL.COM>
> A while back, I think it was Dennis Haynes who mentioned the difference between
> OEM rear
> wheel cylinders with a spring to eliminate the need for pumping (or something
> like that). Now
> I want to do my rear brakes and I can't find the post...
>
> My brakes were done at the dealer around 100k kms ago (11 years ago!), with new
> drums
> and wheels cylinders (by the PO), so I assume they used OEM cylinders, but I do
> seem to
> have the pedal bleed down issue, where I need to pump the pedal once or twice to
> get a solid
> feel. Front brakes have new pads, calipers, and machined rotors, and all fluid
> has been
> flushed every 2 years. The pedal issue has been constant for many years, as long
> as I can
> remember.
>
> I would rather do the rear brakes now, and not look at them again for another 10
> years (aside
> from fluid changes). So which wheel cylinders do I get for the oem performance?
> I'm puzzled
> as to why my dealer serviced brakes have always had this issue, unless the
> dealer didn't use
> OEM parts, or I have some other issue with similar symptoms.
>
>
> Shawn Wright
> http://members.shaw.ca/vwdiesels
> '88 Westy 1.6TD 5 speed
> '85 Jetta Diesel 1.6NA
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