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Date:         Thu, 23 Jul 2015 15:57:15 +0000
Reply-To:     Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: 1981 Brake Caliper Decision
Comments: To: Neil N <musomuso@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <CAB2RwfizuUTopww4qEWQdh_1tuSALFfXPYLH3bK5CRWz=8cM4Q@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Be advised that all that newer stuff is very likely for a power steering vanagon. The steering arms are a good bit shorter and require more effort to turn. They may not be from a PS car, but you should check it out.

Jim

On Thu, Jul 23, 2015 at 10:53 AM Neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:

> Thanks Jon. > > The wheel-tire cost is something to consider for sure > and something I tend to forget about. How convenient. ha ha. ;) > At this point, a local vendor has what I think are new, > not remanufactured, newer style calipers. I installed a pair > on my '88 That bus has better braking than my '81 > and what I'd consider to be "normal" by modern standards. > > A *very* kind fellow Vanagon enthusiast set me up with known good > newer style steering knuckles, calipers, lower arms > etc. I'll install those along with the GW progressive springs > I just received. For the foreseeable future, I'll keep > the older brakes, in part because I want to see how much > better I can make them using well documented info > from this list. It's all been done before, but I'd like to learn > more and improve what's there. > > To that end: > > - try to find pads that have more "bite" (grab better at first application) > Excessive dusting or accelerated rotor wear are not a concern for me. > - install the silencer shims I found at van-cafe. > These may help the pads wear evenly. The last set wore at an angle > possibly due to lack of these shims? > - install new shoes, shim out lower anchors as needed > - rebuild a spare set of Girling calipers > with new pistons, seals. > > A recently replaced failing master cylinder has certainly improved > the brakes. > > Neil. > > On 7/23/15, Jon VO <jondvo@gmail.com> wrote: > > Bigger brake kit means at least 15", most likely 16" wheels to clear the > > calipers on any of the high quality kits; Small Car, GoWesty, Van-Cafe, > etc. > > Also, with the 16" steel wheels, you will also need to add 10-12mm > spacers > > for clearance. These 10mm spacers will then require new longer lug bolts > to > > allow proper engagement. Alternately you could opt for alloys, although > they > > are 7" wide, a bit much for a 205R65-16 tire. However that is all that is > > available, at least easily found. > > The wheel/tire packages sold by the the same parts vendors will clear the > > brake kits just fine, but are pricey, $1K to $1.2K. I sue the Nokian van > > tire, 205R65-16 or 215R65-16, the latter size will not fit in my spare > tire > > area up front, the 205 will, with some mods, and only on a steel wheel > > (narrower). The 16" alloys with either tire will require an external > spare > > tire rack, due to the width & diameter, at least on my van. > > But you'll have nice brakes... > > Jon > > > >> On 5/17/2015 5:34 PM, Neil N wrote: > > > >> > >> My choices: > >> > >> - upgrade steering knuckles, install a "Bigger Brake Kit" > >> - upgrade steering knuckles, install new '86 + calipers etc. > >> - rebuild a spare set of Girling calipers. > >> > >> Is rebuilding the old style calipers a waste of time? > > > -- > Neil n > > Blog: Vanagons, Westfalia, general <http://tubaneil.blogspot.ca> > > 1988 Westy Images <https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/New1988Westy> > > 1981 Westfalia "Jaco" Images, technical <http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/> > > Vanagon-Bus VAG Gas Engine Swap Group <http://tinyurl.com/khalbay> >


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