Date: Mon, 3 Jan 2011 12:43:15 -0800
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: 82 westy rear Brake Leak
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hi.
re
wants to venture a guess on the cause
if it's a typical rear wheel cylinder BF leak..
it's age and lack of changing brake fluid, and perhaps low grade part
installed last time.
the rear wheel cylinders are the parts of the brake system most prone to
wearing out and leaking.
They are not 'that hard' to change ..
if the drum comes off easily ..
if things are not a rusty mess, and if the brake line isn't rusted badly at
the wheel cylinder end,.
You could start spraying that nut there with penetrating oil every day for a
while even .
the one brake line on the trailing arm isn't hard to replace, if that's the
only bad brake line or hose part back there.
the wheel cylinders can be replaced without even taking the shoes off.
though they're probably shot from brake fluid anyway.
doesn't seem like a trip is smart with brakes leaking this badly.
Usually rear wheel cylinders seep a tiny bit for a long time before they
really leak badly.
I can easily imagine your clutch hydraulic fluid is just black water too ..
unless that's been attended to semi-recently.
minimum repair to me sounds like ..
get both rears inspected and handled....
inspect all brake pipes,
change brake fluid to all four wheels, and clutch hydrocyanic repair.
stop by here in southern Oregon and do it indoors in my shop under my
direction if you like ..for a reasonable fee.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Wyatt" <57skibum@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, January 03, 2011 9:01 AM
Subject: 82 westy rear Brake Leak
> Good morning vanagonauts,
>
> Driving into my driveway last night, I noticed a pool of oily
> substance (called brake fluid) emanating from my right rear wheel on
> my 82 westy in the carport. Since its been super cold lately here in
> Salt Lake City, I don't see myself remedying this issue soon. I'm
> wondering if anyone wants to venture a guess on the cause? Without
> pulling the wheel for a close exam, I'm thinking the drum piston seal
> has gone south for the winter or perhaps a corroded hydraulic line
> near the wheel. I'm pretty sure they are original since I've owned the
> van since 1995 and know they haven't been replaced during my tenure.
> This could seriously hamper my potential trip to Buses by the Bridge
> in a couple weeks.
>
> Next question is should I plan to redo all of my seals brakes front
> and back. I'll likely start with the rears first as they are the
> loudest "squeaky wheel". BTW, the brake/clutch reservoir is very low.
> (better fill it asap) verifying fluid loss.
>
> Cheers,
> Ken Wyatt
> 82 westy
> slc, UT