Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2016 15:42:41 -0500
Reply-To: Eric Wunrow <VW@ERICWUNROW.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Wunrow <VW@ERICWUNROW.COM>
Subject: Re: Mechanical/Brakes/1984 Westy
In-Reply-To: <CAB2Rwfi6WzEfAiQGx2eMqu9UmpvcdEquqNjrxuaUWhPRT7Q6TA@mail.gmail.com>
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Thank You, Neil:
Yes, there was air coming from all four bleeders when bleeding.
The problem started the instant the bearings were replaced, so must be related to that process somehow. The only thing I can figure is when removing the caliper a brake line end could have been compromised… but yet, we are losing no fluid at all.
Thanks,
Eric
Eric Wunrow Pictures
303. 988. 8717
VW@EricWunrow.com (for this list's emails)
EW@EricWunrow.com (for private messages)
On Nov 19, 2016, at 3:31 PM, Neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
> What colour was the brake fluid that was bled out? Master cylinder
> finally failed due to old fluid ?? Did you see bubbles at each
> bleeder? On my bus, one caliper bleeder screw will allow air in
> between threads; it appears as if there's a bunch of air in system
> when there is not.
>
> long shot:
>
> someone pushed the brake pedal while callipers were off knuckle during
> bearing job? Brake pedal traveled further than normal and internal
> seal(s) was damaged?
>
> I"m not trying to blame the mechanic here but in my limited
> experience, with the callipers removed from steering knuckles, the
> pistons shouldn't move. i.e. doing just bearings, when reinstalling
> the caliper, the pads should slip right over the rotor.
>
> Neil.
>
>
>
>
>
> On 11/19/16, Eric Wunrow <VW@ericwunrow.com> wrote:
>
>
>> Regardless, early this week I had an independent VW mechanic install new
>> inner and outer bearings on both fronts. When seeing his shop, faith took a
>> dive but I gave the benefit of the doubt. When both bearings came loose in a
>> one-mile test drive, faith lessened. < Yes, he reused the retainer nuts
>> which I later learned is as spooky as it gets! >
>>
>> When the speedo suddenly didn't work, and brake pedal pressure was
>> equally-suddenly inconsistent, he passed it all off as "coincidental" and my
>> faith went to zero. I do not think he opened any bleeds or anything else to
>> introduce air. He did not put anything between the front pads to keep them
>> the proper distance apart. I believe I had new brake lines installed 36,000
>> miles ago. I had him bleed the fronts a little and re-adjust the retainer
>> nuts (getting spookier!), and though the brakes were the same, at least the
>> wheels didn't fly off on the drive to Miami!
>>
>> But as eluded to, the worst part is my perfectly-functioning brakes are all
>> over the place in pressure: One heavy braking, all the way to the floor...
>> Pump them once or twice, fine... Next time, same or somewhere in-between.
>> Said mechanic claimed it all as total coincidence, or that the rear brakes
>> needed adjustment. Huh…
>>
>> EVERYTHING but the bearings were working perfectly until he opened his
>> toolbox.
>>
>> I limped it 80 miles to a friend's in Miami. We just bled the brakes as per
>> the manual, RR first, LR second, RF third, LF last. Lots of air in there
>> from a quite-baffling source. After bleeding the pedal was nice and stiff as
>> a board. When I fired it up, the pedal goes a little softer but I think this
>> is normal. First time on out road test the brakes went to the floor again.
>>
>>
>> PLEASE HELP, and Thanks!!!
>>
>> Eric
>> Eric Wunrow Pictures
>> 303. 988. 8717
>>
>> VW@EricWunrow.com (for this list's emails)
>> EW@EricWunrow.com (for private messages)
>>
>
>
> --
> Neil n
>
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>
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>
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>
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>
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