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Date:         Sun, 14 Aug 2016 21:31:03 -0400
Reply-To:     Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: dragging caliper
In-Reply-To:  <A33A89BB-F8A9-46B6-B010-E3246B3DEDB6@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

> On Aug 14, 2016, at 8:41 PM, Aaron <a.robinson.lists@GMAIL.COM> wrote: > > Cleaning may work. I'll bring some calipers just in case. I'm hoping to drive it back without any towing, but AAA+ if it's needed. > >> On Aug 14, 2016, at 10:13 AM, Larry Alofs <lalofs@gmail.com> wrote: >> Hi Aaron,

Keep us posted on your progress sounds like you have a good shot at getting the breaks going again.

My 85 has the ATE caliper

Eric Caron 85 GL Auto Westfalia

>> I'm not sure exactly which type of caliper you have on an '85 so I'll make general comments. There are two main spots where corrosion can cause a caliper to seize up; the piston itself and the caliper bolts or pins that it slides on. If the pins are sticking, but can be forcibly pulled out, the rust can be scraped and sanded away and the holles cleaned out. A round file may be helpful here. Relube with caliper grease. >> A piston that is sticking can often be loosened up by simply moving it back and forth a number of times after appying some penetrating solvent. With the caliper removed from the disk, you can extend the piston by pressing hard on the brake pedal. You must prevent the piston from blowing out completely by placing pieces of wood of the proper thicknes where the disk would be. >> Then shove the piston back in using a big C-clamp or welding clamp or a special tool baorrowed from your FLAPS. Repeat this process as many times as you have patience for. Keep an eye on the fluid level in the resevoir at the master cylinder, especially when pushing the pistion in. >> >> This sort of activity seemed to be needed about once a year back in the days that I drove Type 3 VWs here in the land of salt and rust. >> >> Good luck, >> Larry A. >> >> >>> On Sun, Aug 14, 2016 at 12:22 PM, Aaron <a.robinson.lists@gmail.com> wrote: >>> Hello all. >>> >>> I have an '85 sunroof "summer driver" (we're original owners) that mostly driven for summer berry picking excursions. It starts and runs fine, but last summer, after gassing it up and doing a couple of miles, I noticed a hot passenger wheel, which I believe was a dragging brake caliper. I just parked it and took another vehicle. >>> >>> It's berry picking duties are now over and I need to figure out how to move it 120 miles home after not being driven for 2 summers. What's the least expensive way to address the dragging caliper? I plan to move it and then decide whether to restore it or give it up, so I'm not looking to "invest" much into it. >>> >>> I'm comfortable with basic maintenance, but have never done more than pads/shoes/rotors/drums/flush on the brakes. Parts won't be available nearby, so I'd like to make sure I have what I need. >>> >>> Thanks! >>> Aaron >>


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