Date:         Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:27:25 -0400
Reply-To:     Robert Downes <bobdownes@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Downes <bobdownes@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      is this MC rebuild kit for real?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

first the question, then the story.

i'm searching around for a master cylinder rebuild kit because i know they
exist, and i've never been inside a MC before, and found
this <https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,carcode,1286333,parttype,1840>.
 i am always skeptical of these all-parts-for-all-cars websites that list
inventory from warehouse indexes, so i invoke the wisdom of the list: if
these are appropriate, why cant i find them anywhere else? if not, does a
kit exist?

AND, why am i planning to get all up in dat MC you ask? well, i rebuilt all
my brakes mechanical-wise about 18 mos/20k miles back and they have never
been perfect. when i hit the brakes fresh, the pedal sinks a bit deeper than
it should, if i push hard it will bottom out(but i can still push harder for
more braking force). if, however, i pump once, release, and then brake, they
feel normal. ...and then after about 5 seconds the pedal falls into the
usual routine.
it has never felt close to dangerous, i have never lost a drop of fluid, the
condition has never worsened.

well, i was recently rotating tires and poking around a bit in prep for an
upcoming round of shop time, and noticed this: my shoes are about gone, and
my pads look like they have not worn at all. is that normal? i remember
buying the higher-end pads, and the rotors tell me that they're doing *
something*, but they've a solid 1/2" of meat left. is this normal? i admit i
only *assume* that it is not. the master cylinder is the last thing more
complicated than a tube that i haven't replaced/renewed, so it's next.

prove me wrong, friends!

-bob
'83 transporter diesel L 1.6TD 5sp--"Kid Cassidy"