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Date:         Mon, 1 Apr 1996 12:27:01 +0200 (MET DST)
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Darie Duclos <darie@tell.ascom.ch>
Subject:      Front brake things..

Hi, I'm writing to you a little discouraged. After having brought my Westy to Switzerland from Canada with high hopes of touring Europe in the next few years, I find out that Switzerland has ridiculously high standards for having a car on the road, and that the total of the necessary repairs on the van (like changing the windshield because of a tiny star that's been there 3 years) may be more than the vehicle is worth..

Nevertheless, I don't have to register it in Switzerland for another 2 months and I have friends coming to visit from Canada, .. and my brakes are shot. The mechanic explained to me that the problem is with the front brakes. The "things" that squeeze the brake pads onto the disks apparently block in a closed position causing the brakes to get very hot and to loose braking action. He recommended that I change these myself because it would cost way too much for him to do it (like $1000).

I tried using the gopher archive just now, but had no success in viewing old articles (is something wrong with it or with me?) Can someone tell me if there has been postings about this before, whether it's a common problem, the procedure to follow, etc.? I have to do this this week, because my friends are arriving Saturday. I was supposed to pick them up in Paris, I'll have to buy them train tickets..

Oh, I should change the cylinders on the rear brakes as well, but that is apparently not quite as urgent. However, if you know of some information on changing those, I would appreciate it too.

Thanks for your help!

Darie '86 Westy


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