Date: Fri, 10 May 2013 14:08:15 -0700
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: Causes of Brake Pull at Highway Speeds? (and some trip pics)
In-Reply-To: <20130510162639.ILGE2.193901.root@eastrmwml105>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
oh it is friday.
I would suggest that if you re gong to move to the Spokane area, rent
for the first year at least.
You'd be surprised how many people move to Washington from somewhere
further south ...
and after a couple years they're beat up, the weather got to them, and
income wasn't too hot either.
That's not uncommon I'd say. I just wouldn't burn any bridgesmoving there.
as you may know, washington does not have a state income tax..
but their other taxes and fees are quite high.
lol ..here's what I say are the two key words for Western Washington
...'visiting' ..and 'summer.'
On 5/10/2013 1:26 PM, Dave Mcneely wrote:
> Neil, can't help on the pulling, except a tire might be involved, which you knew. Surely you've checked pressure. You can swap front to back to check on the pulling. A tire usually pulls less or not at all on the rear compared to the front.
>
> A really bizarre incident I had a few years ago with my Prius: I bought tires from a Goodyear shop. Soon after I noticed slight pulling, especially on stopping. Checked everything imaginable, had the dealer check everything, went to a separate alignment shop. Everything checked great. Back to the Goodyear shop. They had installed one tire the next size up. Really bizarre,and multiple people failed to check that. At least the shop admitted its incompetence, and installed two new tires rather than one to keep the wear even, and of course they charged me nada.
>
> Great pictures.
>
> The probable reason that no fee was posted for the Klipchuck campground is the water being off for the season. Lots of FS campgrounds have a fee when the water is on, but drop the fee for the cold season when the water is off. Some of them without water charge no fee at all.
>
> Our daughter lives in Spokane, and we get up there usually 3 times per year, driving in the camper from Oklahoma at least one of those, camping on the way, and then spending a couple of weeks at one or more national parks. Last year it was North Cascades and Grand Teton. We like Spokane, and are considering moving there, though the long winters are somewhat of a deterrent. That, and the fear that we'd move, and daughter and son-in-law's jobs would take them elsewhere, so we'd have to move again if we wanted to be near the grandkids.
>
> We've camped at the Bowl and Pitcher one time, and visited for the day on many occasions. Its a nice place. Too bad that Washington State charges so much for state park camping. But then again, there is lots of great camping in Washington in NF, NP, and BLM land.
>
> mcneely
>
> ---- neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>> Hi all. Sorry for this lengthy post!
>>
>> Recently did a 800-900 mile trip to Spokane. (work and pleasure) My
>> '81 West ran great, got 22-23 MPG US gallons, (average 55 MPH) new
>> Truckfridge and canvas are great! Some trip pics:
>> https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/SpokaneAudition But......
>>
>> At ~ 50-60 MPH, if I brake hard hands "off" the wheel, the van pulls
>> to the right. Not severely but quite noticeably. Doesn't happen
>> braking hard from ~ 30 MPH. Like I almost have to make the nose dive
>> for the pull to happen. My new Nokians http://tinyurl.com/cklr86y have
>> less than 2000 miles on them.
>>
>> A shop checked the brakes, steering-front end components before this
>> trip. Brakes checked out ok but they noted "upper ball joints have
>> very very minimal play. Not a concern at this time." and that the sway
>> bar bushings are cracked but "no safety concerns noted at this time".
>> In spite of that, they said the front end was tight and ok. The sway
>> bar is a later model year type but seems to fit ok. (not installed by
>> me)
>>
>> Almost all front end and brake parts have been replaced in recent
>> years and don't have a lot of miles on them. The van sat for a year
>> unused and brakes initially had a little fade but they improved as
>> rust etc. burned off and except for the pull, stop the van fine
>> working same as before.
>>
>> I tested the van on different parts of highways. Still pulls the same.
>> Calipers and shoes don't drag, rear brakes are assembled correctly,
>> shoes/pads show little wear, no leaks, great pedal height and feel,
>> flex hoses near new, etc. Tires are evenly inflated, van drives
>> straight otherwise.
>>
>> The new tires may be at fault but they're directional so I can't swap
>> them side for side. I may install some Summer tires regardless.
>>
>> I repaired the passenger side radius arm hole at the frame. IF that
>> repair has failed, and there is now too much movement between the arm
>> and hole, could this cause the pull?
>>
>> Could a little play in the UBJ cause the pull?
>>
>> Any other suggestions on what might cause a pull at high speeds?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Neil.
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Neil n
>>
>> Blog: tubaneil.blogspot.ca
>>
>> '88 Westy http://tinyurl.com/c8rlw6p
>>
>> '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco" http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>>
>> Vanagon VAG Gas inline-VR Engine Swap Group:
>>
>> http://tinyurl.com/d7gd5ej
> --
> David McNeely
>
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