Date:         Fri, 3 Jul 2009 07:25:46 -0400
Reply-To:     Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Subject:      Re: Weak Brakes on 86 Syncro
Comments: To: andysings@AOL.COM
In-Reply-To:  <8CBC99B7D7B0E61-1520-1EF2@WEBMAIL-MY02.sysops.aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Hi Andy,

I would start with an inspection of the front pads and rear shoes. If
they are worn down you will get excessive pedal travel. If the friction
parts are OK then I would focus on the master cylinder.

I'd also recommend a brake fluid flush while you are at it; as brake
fluid does go bad and bad fluid will harm your brake system.

Happy Trails,

Greg Potts
1973/74/79 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
1987 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop
www.busesofthecorn.com
www.pottsfamily.ca


Andy Morse wrote:
> I'm back! My Syncro has been basically used for dump trips and
> moving? things around the past three years or so. Yesterday I finally
> replaced the starter again, hopefully this rebuild is better than the
> last.(was sick and tired of whacking on the old one with a hammer) I
> also bought a new battery and cleaned up and grounds I could get too.
>
>
> For the past few years my brake pedal has had to be depressed nearly
> to the floor to slow down and stop. When I first got the van about 5
> years ago I had to pretty good brake pressure at the pedal and over
> time I had to pump it a few times to keep the pressure up, eventually
> the pedal went limp on me, van stops ok and I can put it into a skid
> but not very reassuring and I've been dealing with it since.
>
> I'm not leaking fluid and I have bled the brakes with practically no
> results. Is there a power brake servo that's gone bad? Can master
> cylinders go bad without leaking fluid?
>
> Please give me some tests to carry out. Thank you!
>
> Andy in Delmar, NY
>