Date:         Thu, 5 May 2016 13:22:40 -0700
Reply-To:     Neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Rear Brakes: E-brake lever lube, E-brake spring function (purpose)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Hi all.

If an e-brake cable spring has gotten weaker due to normal use over some years,
will this weaker spring, in part, not allow the e-brake lever on shoe
to return to the correct position?  (re establish correct gap between
lever and adjuster bar as per Bentley spec)
It seems to me that one purpose of this e-brake cable spring, is to
help push the e-brake lever at shoe back into correct position.

I know antisieze past or brake anti squeal past can be used for this
but would it
be ok to use a **small** amount of lube like thickish chain lube at e
brake lever
pivot point on the brake shoe? i.e. to help the e-brake cable spring
do it's job?

I'm seeing classic symptoms of slightly out of adjustment shoes. It seems to me
that not getting a consistent e-brake cable(s) adjustment is screwing
up the shoe adjustment.
More details below.

Neil.

--------------

AFAIK, my e-brake cables are not seized.
If I, or a qualified shop, adjust shoes out slightly, we get the same results:
the shoes drag requiring them to be set back to where they were.
Based upon advice given here, I know this can happen with shoes that
are already worn in
(e.g. 30% worn) but along with other list advice, I now strongly
suspect that either the e-brake lever at a shoe or shoes
and/or a cable(s) isn't moving perfectly smoothly, the e-brake
cable(s) are binding slightly just as the e-brake handle returns to
lowest position, or, the spring in cable(s) is weak. Seems to me that
any of these things could add to the challenge of getting a correct
and consistent gap between the e-brake lever on shoe and adjuster bar.

symptoms I see indicating slightly out of adjustment shoes:

- van sits overnight: brakes work next day but improve ("bite" sooner,
require less pedal effort) as I use them in city driving.
- van sits overnight: if I push brake pedal down then pull up e-brake,
pedal drops very slightly



--
Neil n

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