Date: Sun, 10 Aug 2008 21:19:09 -0700
Reply-To: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: diagnosing by smell - maybe brake problem?
In-Reply-To: <6e95da690808102030ma6b5d77q29e297401ae0d799@mail.gmail.com>
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On Sun, Aug 10, 2008 at 8:30 PM, Joy Hecht <hecht.joy@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Sun, Aug 10, 2008 at 6:57 PM, neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> 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.
Spinning each by hand (rears, then fronts) might reveal if a pad or
shoe is rubbing, plus you can check for any bad noises.
>> 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?
Likely yes.
If there's enough *constant* friction between pad and disc, or shoe
and drum, it might cause it to pull left or right when brakes aren't
applied. i.e. Right rear dragging, pulls to the right. If the shoe or
pad rubs constantly and long enough it might get too hot and develop a
glaze on it's surface. Which means it won't work as well and parts
might have to be replaced. Plus if rear brake hardware falls off and
gets between the drum and shoe, it would damage both.
But.....
You wrote that it's been on/off so constant friction may not be an issue.
I'd be curious why it's on/off.
>> 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.
Likely yes.
But.....
Even though I know you wrote that you recognized the smell, it may be,
as other members have suggested, coming from somewhere else.
Another thought. Oil or ? is getting on the shoes and burning off when
brakes heat up under normal use.
There are much more, "ahem" educated people (brakes w.h.y.) on this
list, but considering you know what burning brakes smell like, I'd
suggest looking there first.
Neil.
>
>
> Joy
>
