Date: Mon, 3 Jan 2011 14:46:22 -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 Ken,
I didn't think you'd take off driving with bad brakes.
I sure hope you have any sort of indoor place to work on it.
it's 'just brutal' not having some sort of enclosed space for any kind for
real work, like brakes.
I'm sure you know brake and clutch hydraulic fluid should be replaced
religiously every two years.
or at least somewhat close to that interval.
Scott
turbovans
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Wyatt" <57skibum@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, January 03, 2011 1:48 PM
Subject: Re: 82 westy rear Brake Leak
I realize the issue is a serious issue for driving. I won't drive far
(like out of carport) without fixing. That only makes sense. I'm not
a complete idiot in this regard. Seriously!
Brake system leaking fluid = Loss of hydraulic fluid/pressure = No
brakes = No stopping = CRASH = Van gone!! Not a good scenario in my
book.
Its just the 521 Van calling out for more attention and time. Beneath
her in the cold!
Cheers,
Ken Wyatt
82 westy (the 521 bus)
SLC, UT
So named because for every 5 hours I work on it, I get to drive it 1
hour. Therefore it's been coined the 5:1 van or 521. Get it? Good
name I think!!!!
On Mon, Jan 3, 2011 at 1:43 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans
<scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
> 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
>
>
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