Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2009 23:40:00 -0600
Reply-To: Tom Hargrave <thargrav@HIWAAY.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Tom Hargrave <thargrav@HIWAAY.NET>
Subject: Re: Lack of brakes long version saga actually
In-Reply-To: <901925.11309.qm@web33501.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Robert,
You are correct - the back brakes need to be adjusted out so that they don't
have so much travel. I'm surprised he did not blow out the rear wheel
cylinders.
Thanks,
Tom Hargrave
www.kegkits.com
256-656-1924
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of
Robert Keezer
Sent: Thursday, March 05, 2009 11:28 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Lack of brakes long version saga actually
Hi AJ-
Unless I missed it, this is because after you install new rear shoes, you
have to manually adjust them out to the drums first.
Try it! I went thru three master cylinders til I fianlly was told this here.
You have to adjust the brake shoes initially and they will self-adjust after
that.
Robert
1982 Westfalia
--- On Thu, 3/5/09, A J I <flavanagon@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
From: A J I <flavanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Lack of brakes long version saga actually
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Thursday, March 5, 2009, 9:05 PM
I have a 91 auto GL. From the day I bought the van several, 6-8 months ago,
the brakes have always been soft. I was actually only stopping on the
fronts. I finally was able to do a little work on the van so I checked out
the rear brakes. The wheel cylinders were wet and the backing plates soaked
with wet( brake fluid) dirt/dust. Decided to replace both rear wheel
cylinders. Ordered new ones from bus depot and while I waited I cleaned the
backing plates and all the hardware. When the new cylinders arrived I
installed them and proceeded to bleed the brakes. Prior to removing the rear
cyclinders there was always a pedal, soft but never to the floor. After
bleeding the system what I got was pedal to the floor on the first pump and
then pressure build with the next several pumps but always to the floor on
the first pump. I used a full 3 quarts of fluid flushing/bleeding the
system. The fluid was clean and clear and there was no air but still first
pump to the floor.
Sooo, I pulled the master and proceeded to rebuild it. I didnt have the
hollow hex needed to replace the one, secondary, boot but figured there was
enough new rubber with everything else that was replaced that it should work
ok. I didnt bench bleed it before install figuring that the system couldnt
hurt with another flushing. Started with the bleeding again only this time I
used a full 4 quarts of fluid and kept getting the same results. First pump
to the floor them pedal build but not a full hard pedal. No air in the lines
and clean and clear fluid. Could spot no leaks in the lines, all were dry.
Figured I messed up on the rebuild so ordered a new master from bus depot.
It came today but with this one I did bench bleed it prior to install. Once
it was installed I jumped on the brake pedal just for giggles and got a good
hard pedal at about 1/4 travel. Figured this was great but decided to bleed
the system in case there was any air from the install. Opened the right
rear bled it down closed it and then said pump it twice. Well the first pump
went to the floor and the second started to gain pedal. I thought ok there
must be some air somewhere. Bled the entire system again, another 3 quarts
just to be sure I sis the entire system, no air at all and clean fluid, no
leaks visable. First pump to the floor second gains pedal third has pedal at
about 1/2 travel. If you pump it up three times or so then release wait
about 5 seconds and push the brake it goes to the floor. It will then pump
up. I am going to buy stock in the brake fluid company.
During the bleeding process I could hear the rear brakes working against the
drums and releasing and there was no fluid leaking.
Unless I got a bad master which I doubt because before I opened the bleeders
it was a good hard pedal, I am at a total loss here.
I intend to remove the rear drums tomorrow if I can move, hoping the drugs
will kick in I have pretty bad RA, and double check the rear wheel
cylinders but short of that I dont know what to try next other than selling
the van. This thing hasnt driven 10 feet in the last two months and I can
afford to have it just sitting there but I really dont know what to look at
next. Anyone offer any clues, hints, suggestions, tips or whatever? I can
use all the input I can get.
Thanks,
A J
87 GL 4 spd
91 GL auto
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