Date:         Thu, 31 May 2007 21:10:46 -0400
Reply-To:     Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Subject:      Big Brake maintenance
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So I decided it as about time to do some maintenance on the Big
Brakes (South African) that I put on my Westy Syncro. It's gotten a
lot of usage (sometimes towing a LOT of weight). I had probably
around 60K miles on them.

Rotors are worn down about 1 mm a side. Pads were worn down almost to
the wear limit (2mm). Perfect timing to replace the pads. A
relatively simple job, other than pushing in the brake caliper
piston. I seem to remember this being easier on the stock brakes.
Took a LOT of effort to push it in.

Replacement pads (From VolksCafe/VanCafe I believe) are from
Australia. Had a sensor wire on the piston side (since that sensor
wire was embedded in the wear media, I'm presuming it was some sort
of device to turn on an idiot light on the dash for when your pads
need replacement.) Since I have no such connector, I cut the wire off.

Would be a nice addition though to have that idiot light capability.