Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2018 15:49:21 +0000
Reply-To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Hot brakes!
In-Reply-To: <CAF9Ro-a+cyV23tBEjprw9iG9pXDOKPXbnF4GzbuTRHqCFEOx8Q@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
I've found that not drawing attention by keeping my van respectable
looking, clean, and that dark brown factory color js best for going about
my pursuit of happiness without intrusion from nosey people or police. I
also know I blend into the landscape so I can camp without getting unwanted
neighbors, other travelers or campers who've seen me tucked into an arroyo
or forest road because of a bright color paint job and said " Hey, look!
There's a camper, it must be a good spot, let's go camp by him" or some
official who sees "Hippie Van!" and decides to run me off..
As for the brakes:. They are too small for the vehicle to be driven hard
without regards. If you're trying to keep up with the California drivers
on a steep road, forget it! You'll need bigger btakes, and even then, you
will get fade. A hint:. Drive the Vanagon more like a truck...They are
trucks, actually..Vw Transporter?
When you get a long down grade, use a lower gear and brake firmly, then
get your foot off, till your speed dictates another slow-up. Re-apply the
brakes and slow below your average speed... This allows the brakes to cool
down some. If you try to keep a constant high downhill speed, like sedan
and SUV vehicles, with constant foot on the brake, like people often drive
their cars...The little brakes will get hot and fade...Even Big Brakes will
do that, especially with an auto trans.
On Apr 19, 2018 8:35 PM, "Vincent Dow" <ianvincentdow@gmail.com> wrote:
Thanks for these intel Stuart. I’ll definitely run down those cv boots.
Having thre turn after just two years is an epic hassle.
I’m going to try and mdje Montreal like I said. I was going to add grease
every day in case it’s all getting tossed out by wheel-rotation.
That said: my cv axles still sound good. The last set was making a terrific
clunking as I drove off - going through the gears. When we opened them up,
the grease was like bread dough. And they still pushed the van from Los
Angeles to Montreal. (Across the Rockies etc)
This now is my 9th LA - Montreal trip in *Modesto*
Pretty impressive this little rig.
Tonight I got pulled over in La Junta C0 for No lisccnce plate light. When
I opened the glove box my last insurance proof was expired!!! Yikes. I was
able to drum one up on my computer which happened to be in the van. That
was really close to sorrow... too close.
My van has a set of electric fans where the plate would normally be. And
the plate is offset to the passenger side. The other side of the fans is
the Subaru MPFI 16 valve plate from the air cleaner cover on the donor
car... and my rear bumper is a redwood 2x6.
In other words, it’s weird. It’s very cool and original, but it’s kind and
f asking for trouble from cops.
I gave to get a lic. plate light tomorrow!!!
On Sat, Apr 14, 2018 at 12:43 PM <stuartmacm@gmail.com> wrote:
> Vinnie,
>
>
>
> You need black grease, the stuff for high pressure loads You can find it
> at most parts stores, but it’s really not going to make much difference.
> Get new boots from Christopher at T3 Technique, he finds the best quality,
> and as you know, it varies. Some boots are such poor quality that will
> tear in short order.
>
http://t3technique.com/suspension-and-drivetrain/drivetrain-parts/cv-joints,-boots,-etc/
>
>
>
> If you are not getting pedal pulsing on braking your rotors aren’t warped.
>
>
>
> Stuart
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* Vincent Dow <ianvincentdow@gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Saturday, April 14, 2018 9:47 AM
> *To:* Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com>
> *Cc:* vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
> *Subject:* Re: Hot brakes!
>
>
>
> I'm definitely getting the brakes looked at when we get to montreal.
>
> I usually do engine brake - maybe I wasn't as diligent about it on this
> road. the CA-23 is really steep and windy on the southern side towards
> Malibu. I think it's one of the longest, steepest roads I've ever taken in
> the van.
>
>
>
> I made it down the eastern slope of the rockies yesterday (at Wolf Creek
> Pass) I was very diligent about engine braking. I thought more and more
> about the venation brake pads, and how darn small they are! Not a lot of
> surface there considering the weight of the rig.
>
>
>
> Bigger issue now is my THREE torn C.V. boots... ugh. I just discovered
> them the day before yesterday. There's not much i can do out here in
> colorado. We would have to go up to Denver or Boulder and take the van
into
> a shop there. There is one guy who has CV boots. I'm bummed that they are
> torn - they were only two years old.
>
>
>
> I made the decision to continue driving towards Montreal, and deal with
> the boots there. I can see there is still grease on the C.V. joints - and
I
> bought a grease gun and some green-stuff so i can keep squirting it in
> there - it sucks, but better than driving them dry. They still sound okay.
>
>
>
> Tough trip this one is. The weather has been awful. Non-stop howling wind,
> hundreds of attacking tumbleweed!!! What difference time of year makes
for
> these journeys.
>
> (from the Red Lion Inn, La Junta Colorado)
>
> Best,
>
> Vinnie
>
>
>
> On Sat, Apr 14, 2018 at 10:41 AM, <stuartmacm@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Yes, it can happen on steep grades. Next time downshift and use some
> engine braking, and maybe pull over for a few minutes if it's a long
grade.
> You'll know if your rotors warped from the pedal pulsing when you brake.
> Probably didn't warp.
>
> Stuart
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of
> Vincent Dow
> Sent: Monday, April 9, 2018 9:14 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Hot brakes!
>
> Howdy y’all,
> I was coming down a steep, windy road in Malibu last night, and st the
> bottom I felt that my brakes had lost done if their grabbing power.
> At the stop sign at the bottom oF the hill I got out to have a look and
> my brakes were smoking + very strong smell. Like a truck cooking it’s
> brakes.
>
> My pads look good, lots of material left .
> Anyone ever experience this before in a vanagon?
> Do you think I’ve done any damage?
> Or is it normal for mountain highway downhill?
> Best ,
> Vinnie
>
>
>
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