Date:         Fri, 16 Jul 2021 20:12:05 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Rear brake drum/shoe replacement - bleed brakes? grrr
Comments: To: Steve Williams <steve@williamsitconsulting.com>
In-Reply-To:  <b2d5ad91-ce79-79be-15c8-f23e75d3d4c9@williamsitconsulting.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

Historically I've run a hose to a jar of brake fluid, had a second
person pump the brake pedal, open the bleed screw, let the air/fluid
escape and repeat as necessary.

STEVE, THAT'S THE WAY I have always done it. I THINK IT'S THE BEST WAY.
GETS RID OF OLD USED UP FLUID, AIR AND ANY WATER THAT HAS CONDENSED,

On Fri, Jul 16, 2021 at 6:50 PM Steve Williams <
steve@williamsitconsulting.com> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I just replaced the rear drums and shoes on my 91 Westy.   I tried to
> follow the Bently to measure the adjuster "preset", but I don't have
> anything to measure it properly.
>
> I played with winding out the adjuster until my brake shoes just rubbed
> on the drum, then backed it off until they didn't rub anymore.  Well, a
> tiny scrape at one point where they are out of round a bit, but I figure
> that will wear down shortly.
>
> After doing this with both wheels, the parking brake feels very good,
> similar to how it was with the old shoes/drum.
>
> However, my brake peddle is soft, like there is air in it.  The only way
> I think this could have happened is if I let the slave pistons extend
> too far while I was messing around putting the shoes on. Does this make
> sense?
>
> It is soft, and it does pump up, so I'm pretty sure it's air.  But it
> should only be in the slave cylinder.  I checked the brake fluid
> resevoir and it's above the MAX, which is what I would expect with new
> shoes on and the pistons further into the cylinder.
>
> I've never had to bleed the brakes on my westy.
>
> I do have a generic "vacuum" pump (manual) that comes with a device to
> capture brake fluid.  Assuming I can get the bleed screw open, can I
> just use that?
>
> I am alone, so it's hard to do it how I used to (on other vehicles).Â
> Historically I've run a hose to a jar of brake fluid, had a second
> person pump the brake pedal, open the bleed screw, let the air/fluid
> escape and repeat as necessary.
>
> Thanks for any input!
>
> Cheers,
> Steve Williams
>