Date:         Thu, 18 Jul 1996 16:23 EDT
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         sidote@ocelot.Rutgers.EDU (Dave Sidote)
Subject:      brake question

Hello Everyone,


I have a bit of a dilemma. My 83 wasserwesty has developed a brake problem
and I was wondering if anyone can field a few questions I have?

1. When I apply the brakes and hold the pedal down it very slowly sinks
toward the floor. I checked the fluid in the master cylinder and the level
hasn't moved. I checked the calipers and as much brake line as possible and
I can't find any leaks. The parking brake also suffers from this as is
doesn't engage until it is further from the floor than usual.

2. Can I just replace the fluid and bleed the brakes? Is bleeding the
brakes the same procedure as the clutch? I replaced the master and slave
cylinders about a month ago (thanks to the advice from the list). I didn't
bleed the brakes though. For some reason it didn't dawn on me that the
clean oil in the clutch will mix with the dirty oil in the brakes.

3. I read the warning on the brake fluid bottle and the "costly repairs"
part made me scared. It warns of corrosion in the brake system. Will having
this condition for one month cause this to happen?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

dave

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                                Dave Sidote
                          sidote@mbcl.rutgers.edu
                               83 WasserWesty
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