Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 20:05:01 -0700
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Replacing the master cylinder
In-Reply-To: <002101c8b23e$66493790$0201a8c0@MASTERPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Most likely, it needs an MC.
It is not really responsible to do an MC without doing a FULL, all four
wheels and rear drums of good inspection.
What mostly happens to front calipers is the pistons get stuck.
I have almost *never* seen a leaking hose, but they are very old obviously.
The rear go out the most, the easiest. Leaking rear wheel cylinders are
common.
Shot to hell shoes soaked in brake fluid - that happens in on body looks in
there for 15 years or changes the brake fluid every two years.
When an MC is just tired, even if not externally leaking, there's no way
around getting a new one in there. That it's 25 years old and an 80 dollar
part, if it is that old and it could be it should be replaced, period. -
I've seen many original MC's.
Check in the Booster for brake fluid.
A bit is tolerable, if it's really swimming in bf..........well, you know.
'probably' - a good in all four wheels, and rear drums off to inspect there
and a new MC will make a world of difference.
I sort of 'don't believe in' dead boosters, but of course that can happen
too. I'm sure there are many working at only 80 %.
If money was no object - you'd want a new one of those too.
Check push rod or pedal freeplay on the brake MC and brake pedal too.
Should be just a tiny bit. - like eighth inch, or a quarter inch at the
brake pedal. And inch is way too much. It wears there too. Never gets lubed.
Metal-to-metal on the clivis pin. Happens to clutch pedal too.
( adjust clutch pedal free play is the single most difficult adjustment in
the whole van, not counting things like transmission rebuilds.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Dennis Haynes
Sent: Friday, May 09, 2008 6:37 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Replacing the master cylinder
Is the brake fluid disappearing? No. Front MC seal is OK. Look in
reservoir while pushing pedal. Do you see any sign of fluid getting pushed
back into the reservoir? If so a check is hung open. If not look for
another problem. Is the pedal really going all the way to the floor or 3/4
and there is still some brakes? Look for a problem in the rear such as
real bad adjustment or something broken. Could also be a bad rear brake
pressure regulator.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
BJ Feddish
Sent: Friday, May 09, 2008 9:27 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Replacing the master cylinder
He's capable of doing the job but for some reason he is convinced (without
seeing the van) that he recalls the dash needing to come out. Once he
realizes it doesn't then he'll be fine. From what I hear though I may be
able to swap this thing out myself since he has my wife's Audi at the
moment
and my EV has to go in because the brake pad light is on.
The symptoms are the pedal is going to the floor after driving for awhile.
The brakes were bled a month ago with no change. Pumping the pedal makes
no
difference. Not 100% it needs a master cylinder but being that it's 25
years
old and they are only $80 we might as well get that out of the equation.
Thanks,
Bryan
-----Original Message-----
From: Dennis Haynes [mailto:d23haynes57@hotmail.com]
Sent: Friday, May 09, 2008 9:19 PM
To: 'BJ Feddish'; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: RE: Replacing the master cylinder
Not to sound too nasty here but if you are bringing a vehicle to a
professional mechanic for work, especially brake work, that shop should
have the following:
Some experience with the vehicle
The Alldata, Mitchell, or some other program to do a fair estimate and get
some instructions.
Mitchell book says 2.6 hours, deduct .4 if doing with any other brake
combination. Includes bleeding.
I also think this is on the high side.
Are you sure it needs the master? What are the symptoms?
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
BJ Feddish
Sent: Friday, May 09, 2008 1:04 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Replacing the master cylider
My mechanic tells me he needs to take the dash apart to replace the master
cylinder. He has never done a Vanagon before and he does not have it in
front of him right now. He wants to wait until he has allot of time
available before I drop it off.
Is this true, do you need to take the dash apart?
Thanks,
Bryan
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