Date: Sat, 23 May 2009 12:40:32 -0800
Reply-To: colorworks@GCI.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Troy <colorworks@GCI.NET>
Subject: Re: Rear Brake PICS. Have Questions, Need Critique.
Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=iso-8859-1; reply-type=original
This is the type of info that would be great to have in one location for
anyone attempting to do their own brakes. Some great shots there, and
photos really are worth 1000 words. I now have this down to about 30 minutes
per side. My first encounter took over four hours, so I've improved
marginally;) If you do have a small leak, you and I both know that's not
going to get better. Probably good to get it replaced while the weather's
good. Then again, maybe you live in one of those places where it's nice
year-round?
After doing all this work, I am a little disappointed that I don't have
better pedal. Still seems to go about half to two thirds of the way down. I
still have my axle nuts to tighten, and get my new 16 inch wheels on, so
didn't go for a drive or anything, just started the van then tested them in
the garage. I have them adjusted so they have a fair amount of drag, so not
sure what to do to improve the pedal. This has been one of my complaints for
years now. From what I understand, pedal distance is related to rear brakes
and has nothing to do with the front. If anyone has any suggestions as to
how to minimize pedal travel, I'm all ears. I would like to get this working
as good as I possibly can. Maybe disc brakes next summer. Seems like there
must be a cheaper solution than $800 to do this. The key seems to be getting
an inexpensive bracket, as there are lots of Audi rotors and calipers out
there for cheap.
Cheers,
Troy
----- Original Message -----
From: "neil N" <musomuso@gmail.com>
To: <colorworks@gci.net>
Cc: <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 23, 2009 9:55 AM
Subject: Re: Rear Brake PICS. Have Questions, Need Critique.
On Fri, May 22, 2009 at 11:31 PM, Troy <colorworks@gci.net> wrote:
> neil N wrote:
>> I noticed that my adjusting star is not centered at access hole.
>
> I've done rear brake work on my '84 7 pass (years ago) and my '85 Westy
> (less than one year ago) and their adjusters aren't centered on the
> access hole. They weren't before the work, either. They're offset like
> in the original poster's photo. BTW, the brakes work fine.
>
> Mike>>
>
> When I changed out the top spring as per Mark's suggestion, this in turn
> move the entire star wheel assembly closer to that access hole. No, it's
> not exactly centered over the hole, but certainly very easily accessible
> compared to where it was before. Mark made a good point that it is
> important for both of those hooks at the springs' end to face upward or
> else it interferes with the self-adjuster.....
Thanks for posting that detail Troy.
I was prompted to double check my work. Took some pics. For any other
newbs, here's one showing how return springs hook up:
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/RearBrakeReturnSpring.jpg/RearBrakeReturnSpring-full;init:.jpg
Here's the whole shebang
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/rearbrakespringsshoes
Looking at them again, I notice that one of the LH boot looks "wet" ??
I'd be choked if an internal seal is failing (fluid in boot). They're
only a few years old/low miles. Oh well. Time to check it again!
Neil.
--
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
