Date:         Sun, 26 Oct 2014 14:24:03 -0700
Reply-To:     Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject:      Re: brakes, and wheel bearings
Comments: To: Dan Barrett <dbx@POBOX.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <544D60E1.1050401@pobox.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Dan,

Just a thought. I replaced front calipers on my syncro a few years ago, it wasn't the plan but did I them a few mean this apart. The second caliper was some sort of knock off, off brand. 

Anyhow, after I installed the second caliper I noticed a distinct rubbing, clicking, in sync with wheel rotation. Turned out that the caliper was hitting a bit of weld on the steel rim (14"). The tiniest bit of interference but made a big noise.

I took an angle grinder to the caliper where I saw the interference.

Just on the off chance this is happening in your case, look for rub marks on the caliper.

Alistair



> On Oct 26, 2014, at 2:00 PM, Dan Barrett <dbx@POBOX.COM> wrote:
> 
> Friends:
> 
> I've replaced all of my brake lines, the front calipers and pads, and
> the rear drums and shoes on my 1990 GL 2WD.  Got the bus off the
> jackstands and out for a road test today, and I have two resulting
> questions:
> 
> (1) the brakes are slightly softer than I remember.  I've bled
>    them a couple of times, and the parking brake is dialed
>    in perfectly as far as I can tell.  The brakes do not get
>    firmer with pumping, they just bite slightly farther down the
>    pedal travel than I'd like.  What have I done wrong?
> 
> (2) I cut the test drive short when I think I could feel
>    the front driver's side wheel bearings rubbing in sync
>    with wheel speed.  I've tightened the front bearings
>    down in line with Bentley -- tighten to seat the bearings,
>    backing off, then tightening enough so that the thrust
>    washer can just be moved with a flathead screwdriver.
>    There's no play in the wheels, and they don't bind when
>    turning.  Am I missing something?
> 
> Any guidance greatly appreciated.
> 
> Best,
> d.