Date: Sun, 20 Nov 2016 15:57:22 +0000
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Mechanical/Brakes/1984 Westy
In-Reply-To: <CA75A18C-1496-4849-8E44-4E6EB90599D8@EricWunrow.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Brakes getting air into an otherwise closed system is usually due to them overheating. Excessively loose wheel bearings can also cause funky brake operation as the wobbling rotors will push the pads out. This means that next time the brakes are applied you need some pedal action to pump them back in.
When servicing the front brakes/wheels etc. it is a good practice to open the bleeders when pushing the pads back to avoid pushing the fluid back up into the calipers. Pushing the fluid back can cause the check valves to mess up or worse, debris such as rust and rubber hose pieces can be pushed back up and trash out the master cylinder. Also if the reservoir is full pushing the fluid back can cause an overflow making a mess.
Being an 84 there are two possible bearings being used for the outer. The early ones had the smaller bearing which was updated some time to a larger bearing used, all the way through 91. The early bearings was known for failing and destroying the spindle. Properly installed and serviced these bearings should last a long time, usually 2 brake jobs. Overheating the brakes can also destroy the grease and cause a later failure.
Currently I'm in Barefoot Bay Florida. If you near here and want to chat let me know!
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Eric Wunrow
Sent: Saturday, November 19, 2016 2:45 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Mechanical/Brakes/1984 Westy
Hello, Dubber Friends:
Okay, so here's the gig...
I had lots of left-front bearing noise of late, worsening over this last 1,000 miles or so - despite having new bearings put in 36,000 miles ago... though by a mechanic back home in Denver who proved more than a little shady later. BUT, we are full-timers and overloaded on weight a bit, so premature failure was somewhat expected anyway.
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
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