Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (March 1997)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Wed, 5 Mar 1997 19:56:19 -0500 (EST)
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         SyncroHead@aol.com
Subject:      Re: Stuck Parking Brake

In a message dated 97-03-05 12:23:19 EST, bauman@ican.net (Kelly Bauman) writes:

> My first problem with my Westy (91). I went to leave the driveway today and > couldn't move a bit. I determined one of the right rear wheel was locked. > I jacked it up, pulled the wheel off and wacked the wheel with a hammer a > few times. It's good as new for now but I am afraid it will happen again. > > Can anyone suggest any preventative maintainance for this affliction?

First, I'll start by telling you about your weather. It was raining when you parked the van and you drove through several puddles on that last drive.

When this happens, rust can quickly build up on the inside of the drum and bond the shoe to the drum. I'm not certain if this affects other vehicles, but it's happend to my 87 Syncro a couple of times. This can happen overnight, and a mild case can happen (where you feel the resistance and then, THUNK, it unsticks) just during a day at work. It certainly hasn't happened to any other vehicle I've driven. In order to prevent it, I ride the brake just a bit before I park, hoping to heat up the drum enough to eliminate as much water as possible before parking. I can't say for sure that this works, but I haven't had this happen since I've started doing this.

Good luck, Jim Davis 87 GL Syncro 88 GL Wolfsburg


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.