Date:         Sun, 23 Jun 2013 07:18:18 -0400
Reply-To:     Robert Clemmer <n51219@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Clemmer <n51219@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      FW: Rear Brakes
In-Reply-To:  <51C6872F.6090202@turbovans.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Thanks for all your responses.

All I did was replace the brake cylinders.  Did not replace the shoes or
drums.  Everything was left the same except for the brake cylinders.  I
replaced them because the garage that performed the PA Annual Safety
inspection replaced them with an after market one from the local Flaps and
when I removed them there was fluid leaking under the rubber end caps.

 I know this car.  I've owned it since new.  I put all 258K miles on it.
This isn't right.  I guess I'll try a master cylinder next since the garage
replaced that about 3 years ago during the annual safety inspection.


Bob Clemmer

Most new cars have 6 airbags...

What has the most? 15-passenger van fully loaded with congressmen! - Car
Talk, NPR


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Scott Ohana
Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2013 1:27 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Rear Brakes

Unlikely the pressure regulating valve is not working like it should ..
Should at least be considered.

I get the rear shoes pretty close to the drum, never have a problem with the
rear brakes.
How were they adjusted ?
were all the friction spots likely lubed with anti-seize..
like where the shoes slide on the backing plates?  or every pivot point ?
was the parking brake cable adjustment backed off some..
shoes adjusted very carefully, then cable adjustment done ?

the original poster could examine the brakes shoes to get an idea about
contact area...
more contact area the better.

they should work. Master cylinder comes to mind ..to at least consider.


On 6/22/2013 9:26 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> 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
>