Date: Sat, 26 Jul 2008 21:40:10 -0400
Reply-To: Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Kim Brennan <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
Subject: Re: Soggy brake pedal
In-Reply-To: <08f601c8ef83$91474360$6401a8c0@PROSPERITY>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes
Yah, the "problem" is that I have another vanagon with awesome brakes.
Both are 91 syncros. The one with the mushy brakes is the Westy (the
other is a non-GL passenger syncro). Both have Smallcars disc brakes
in the rear, and upgraded front disk brakes (South African on the
Westy, Audi on the passenger).
So I step on the brakes on the passenger, and it's simply great. Step
on the brakes on the Westy and it's not quite panic inducing, but
definitely gives you something to think about.
Guess it's time to dig out the Bentley and investigate the booster
(have a master brake cylinder on hand, so figure, if I have to go in
there, I'll do both at the same time.
On Jul 26, 2008, at 8:56 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
> you can replace the booster without moving the dash.
> I would even say DO NOT remvoe the dash to replace the booster.
> they way you do the boooster is a bit odd........but it comes out,
> after
> removing the insturment cluster, then the master cylinder, then
> unbolting
> the pedal assembly, and lifting it up enough that you can unbolt the
> booster
> from it. Whew.
>
> you know 'the test' for a booster, right ?
> here's how you do that : With engine off, apply the brake a number
> of
> times, until you've used up the vaccum in the booster.
> then , holding down the brake pedal, start the engine.
> the pedal should suck down an inch or two when the engine starts.
> if it
> does......merans the booster is working.
>
> I also consider them somewhat 'nebulous' in not so black/white about
> whether
> they are really OK or not.
> Sure would be nice to have a brand new on on hand to try.
> fwiw ..........I saw a case where someone with a only 4 or 5 year
> old Honda
> Civic had both the MC and booster replaced by a Honda dealer - to
> the tune
> of $ 800 or so. I know a Honda brake booster is not likely to fail
> in that
> time. I called that Honda dealer and talked to them - they
> said .........if
> any brake fluid gets into the booster, you have to replace it.
> In a world with unlimited funds to invest on our
> Syncro's ..........that
> would indeed be nice - to replace the booster if any doubt.
> I also don't see how they can really work as long and as well as
> they seem
> to.
> I'll say this - if there are a lot of miles and years on it, and
> you can
> afford a good quality new booster........I don't think that would be
> a waste
> of money.
> scott
> www.turbovans.com
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kim Brennan" <kimbrennan@MAC.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Saturday, July 26, 2008 5:20 PM
> Subject: Soggy brake pedal
>
>
>> Okay, I've bled the brakes. My Westy Syncro still has a soggy brake
>> pedal. If I pump, it gets a little better, but not much. Sometimes I
>> hear a buzz, and it gets to be the best. If the engine is off, it
>> feels better, but with the engine running, it feels really mushy. A
>> friend suggested the brake booster might have a vacuum leak.
>>
>> Don't believe I've seen this come up before. Master cylinder, yes,
>> but
>> not the brake booster. I haven't yet looked in the bentley to see
>> what's involved. Half afraid the dash will have to come out.
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