Date:         Mon, 11 Aug 2008 01:00:04 -0230
Reply-To:     Joy Hecht <hecht.joy@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Joy Hecht <hecht.joy@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: diagnosing by smell - maybe brake problem?
In-Reply-To:  <c4e7c5f90808101427x4248cceer1b49bf297f615fb1@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

On Sun, Aug 10, 2008 at 6:57 PM, neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:

> Can you determine which wheel the smell is coming from?


Not sure - I'll try.

>
>
> Does your Westy "pull" (drift) either direction when you let go of the
> wheel?


I haven't noticed - I'll look.  I have driven some distance since I first
noticed the smell (1200 or so miles), and haven't noticed any pull, but I
will check.

>
>
> If it has sat idle for any length of time,


It has.  And I noticed the problem when I returned from being away.


> I'd suggest looking at the
> parking brake/rear shoes first. If parking brake was on for an
> extended period, a shoe(s) could be stuck rubbing against a drum(s)


Oh dear, now I have to figure our how I look at that!  Or maybe it's useful
info to take with me to the nice (and not too expensive!) vanagon repair
people here in Newfoundland.

>
>
> If not, other brake hardware (i.e. broken return spring) on a rear
> wheel may be malfunctioning allowing a shoe, or shoes, to stay against
> a drum.


Would that have an impact on the effectiveness of my brakes?

>
>
> Second thought is that one of the front calipers is sticking and
> keeping a pad against the rotor.


Presumably any of these should be something I can feel while driving, yes?
I shall pay close attention, thanks for the suggestions.



Joy