Date:         Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:54:01 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: Brakes still going to the floor
Comments: To: William Greenamyer <greenamyer@YAHOO.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2009102323301580@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Do as Don and Chris suggested, then do this - it worked for me.

My brake bleed method.

Get a clear plastic soft drink bottle. Get one helper,. Get plenty of
DOT 4 brake fluid.

Remove cover off instrument pod
Remove cap on brake fluid reservoir.
Place helper in the driver seat.
Have helper top off the reservoir
Have helper pump brake pedal while you bleed each bleeder valve at the
brake into the clear bottle.
Have helper do this until you get a clear stream with no bubbles.
Close bleeder valve while fluid stream is pouring forth.
Have helper top off the reservoir.
Move to the next wheel and repeat, being sure to top up between each wheel.

That should do it.

Kinda tedious. Kinda meticulous. But necessary.

If the problem continues, check the fluid reservoir. If the fluid level
is falling - there is definitely a leak somewhere. If the level is not
falling - then "perhaps" there may be a problem with the brake booster,
but I'm not familiar enough with that to address it.

John Rodgers
88 GL driver
http://www.moldhaus.com

William Greenamyer wrote:
> Well, replaced the master cylinder.  Seemed to be fine but as I used the
> brakes, the pedal worked worked down to the floor.  The pedal has pressure
> but if you push hard enough (like a panic stop), the pedal goes to a metal
> stop which I guess is the top of the brake lever hitting something in the
> brake drum or some bracket.  Does anyone have any ideas?  There are no noted
> leaks anywhere at present so far as either I or my mechanic can find.  That
> indicated the master cylinder.  No I would suspect that power booster.
>
> William
>
>
>