Date:         Mon, 17 Sep 2007 22:25:35 -0700
Reply-To:     Shawn Wright <vwdiesels@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Shawn Wright <vwdiesels@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Causes of rear brake soft pedal
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Tonight I replaced the rear shoes on my '88 Westy, which were last done by
the dealer about 100k km (60k miles), but more than 10 years ago. I have
receipts from the PO showing all new drums, cylinders, shoes, etc were
used. The rear wheel cylinders show a fair bit of corrosion, but no weeping
under the seals, and they do seem to have the springs to prevent creeping,
as they extended slowly on their own when shoes were removed.
With everything all back together, I still have the soft pedal syndrome, where
one or more pumps is required to get a firm pedal. I was hoping this was the
rear wheel cylinders lacking those elusive springs. Front pads and calipers
are new in the spring. So the problem must lie in the booster or the master
cylinder, right? Tips on narrowing this down appreciated.

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