Date:         Sat, 24 Oct 2009 10:57:54 -0700
Reply-To:     neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
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

On Fri, Oct 23, 2009 at 8:22 PM, William Greenamyer
<greenamyer@yahoo.com> 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



As others suggest, I'd bet there's still air in the system. Likely
what you're feeling is what's referred to as a "spongy" pedal.

Did you bench bleed the master cylinder? If not, then the air inside
it got pushed into the brake hydrualics.

I was given this tip by a Vanagon mechanic. Have read of it elsewhere
online too.

During the bleeding process, I tap on front calipers with a combo
wrench. The idea being that if any air bubbles are "sticking" to
caliper interior, this may help them come loose so they can be bled
out.

Last time I bled my brakes, I pumped the pedal several times inbetween
bleeding each wheel. This may have helped push any air in system
closer to the ends of the brake lines.

Can't hurt to put some rags around brake fluid reservoir. A helper may
not have good aim/steady hand. Spilled brake fluid is nasty stuff.

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