Date:         Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:26:31 -0700
Reply-To:     Shawn Wright <vwdiesels@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Shawn Wright <vwdiesels@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      YABT: Yet another brake thread... :-(
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Tonight I went for a drive after replacing the dash, etc, after being in
storage for 3 months. Bad news right away - the brake pedal softness seemed
more pronounced than I remember, although hard stops from 40mph seemed ok.
Then I got back and checked underneath - the right rear wheel cylinder has
obviously failed quite dramatically, as the backing plate is wet. Crap. And
we leave early Friday am. And I planned on doing the rear brakes when we
return, ordering the parts from a known good source. Now I have to find a
decent source for a wheel cylinder by tomorrow (I have shoes), and get it to
Vancouver Island. For those who know where I am, I might as well be on the
moon right now... :-(

Oh well, that's the price I pay for putting this job off! If I can't find a
good wheel cylinder at a local FLAPs tomorrow, I will buy one of whatever
they have, and then order a pair of good ones from busdepot or autohausaz to
replace it later.

So, for those who deal with local FLAPs (NAPA, etc), what is a good brand of
wheel cylinders to go with that they might have? For ordering from busdepot
or other list vendor, what brands of wheel cylinder, shoes, and drums are
acceptable? I think the drums are fine, as they were new OEM 70k miles ago
and looked ok at last check. If I do replace drums, can bearing races be
saved, or are new bearings in order? That would add a lot to the cost...

Autohausaz (my preference as my parents are in AZ, and I need it there fast)
has drums by 'OP parts',  TRW or ATE cylinders, and Enduro shoes. Busdepot
of course has a ton of options, so which are best? I just ordered front pads
from them last week... but totally overlooked the rears... :-(

Thanks for your advice - this is the first time I've had to do anything to
the rears since 96, aside from flushing the fluid.