Date:         Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:21:25 -0800
Reply-To:     neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Neils Brakes: "What Me Worry?" (WAS: pedal feel)
Comments: To: Shawn Wright <vwdiesels@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <1250b1e91003241947t3ce72519t1efa1b08055a925d@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

On 3/24/10, Shawn Wright <vwdiesels@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
> Neil,
>
> I've followed this thread with great interest, as your issue sounds very
> similar to mine - decent braking performance, but pedal travel that is
> longer than it should be, which improves when pumping the pedal 1-2 times. I
> also have the 'sinking' pedal feeling when holding under heavy pressure. One
> difference I can think of is that my 'pedal travel' issue is more frequent,
> ie: pumping the pedal to reduce travel is required after a only short period
> of driving without using the brakes. Calipers are new rebuilt units, but
> wheel cylinders have 120k on them, as do drums. (both were new at the dealer
> from PO, but this was ~15 years ago... yes, only 120k in 15 years!) I
> believe Dennis H. told me at one point that some non-oem wheel cylinders
> lack the proper springs to reduce piston creep (to offset the springs on the
> shoes), but since mine are from the dealer, I assumed I had good oem units.
> Maybe not. Time for new ones I suppose, even if they appear ok.
>
> The van's currently dashless as I replace the blower fan, but I will pay
> some attention to the brakes once I get it back on the road. Thanks for all
> the interesting posts on this topic, as it reminded me that I need to check
> the brakes before the next road trip!
>



Shawn et al.

Just uploaded a short video. My pedal drops at beginning. Engine
started *just* before video starts.

You can hear the "thud" more near end of video.

Does yours do this Shawn?

youtube video (should work. can't check it on this computer)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC_s2lTJRbE


--
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"

http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines