Date: Sun, 23 Jun 2013 00:26:21 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Rear Brakes
In-Reply-To: <006201ce6fba$aa3010c0$fe903240$@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Rear brakes do a lot more ten just keeping the rear in place, especially on
the Vanagon. Those 10" diameter X 2" wide shoes offer a lot of surface area.
New Drum shoes will take a while to seat and provide full braking action. If
the drums are worn oversized there will be less contact area until the shoes
wear at the top so more of the material can contact the drum. As I've
mentioned in the past most of the aftermarket shoes now available for the
Vanagon do not have the proper lining thickness so only part of the shoe
will ever reach the drum. The fix is to shim out the lower shoes rests.
Today I tried a set of Raybestos shoes, (new). Along with new drums I was
only able to add 2mm of shims to the lower rests. Usually I can add 3 or 4,
more with worn out drums. Check the archives. I have written about the
proper set up of the rear brakes a number of times. Set up is critical for
the brakes to work properly, especially for the self-adjusters.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Stuart MacMillan
Sent: Saturday, June 22, 2013 10:38 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Rear Brakes
Rear brakes are there just to keep the rear end from passing the front end
when you brake. Don't know the exact balance, but it's probably over 60% in
the front, that's why they only put discs there. There is also a lot more
metal in the drum to dissipate heat. Sounds normal to me. Others will
comment.
Stuart
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Robert Clemmer
Sent: Saturday, June 22, 2013 6:35 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Rear Brakes
Ok, so I replaced both rear brake cylinders, bled both front and rear.
Have a nice solid pedal. Only problem is now it doesn't feel like the rear
brakes are doing their fair share. In 15 minutes of local traffic, the
front brakes heat up to the point the wheels feel hot while the rears are
luke warm at best. Fronts are not dragging. Going to the UP of Michigan in
two weeks and the car will be heavy. They need to be right.
Car is a 91 2.1 automatic with 258k. Any suggestions or comments. I don't
want to replace parts just for the sake of it.
Thanks,
Bob Clemmer
Perkasie, PA
