Date: Tue, 9 Dec 1997 13:48:00 E
Reply-To: "Lebron,Nathan" <nlebron@TROY.COBE.COM>
Sender: Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From: "Lebron,Nathan" <nlebron@TROY.COBE.COM>
Subject: Re: Brakes
I had a similar problem. I had to press the breaks at least twice to get
it to stop. Had this mechanic replace master brake pump, (I may have the
name incorrect so please forgive me), the breaks bled and the fluid
replaced with DOT 4. What a difference!
The brake pump is located behind the speedometer, under the brake fluid
reservoir. It looks like a pipe. The prices in my area ranged from $99
to $250.
Nate El Great
85 GL 174,000 Mi
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-vanagon [SMTP:owner-vanagon@GERRY.SDSC.EDU]
Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 1997 12:25 PM
To: Vanagon
Subject: Re: Brakes
Message text written by "Michael T. DeLessio"
>Hello all,
I'm having a problem with the brakes on my '84 westy. When I hit the
brakes, there is very little resistance on the pedal and I have to press
the
pedal almost to the floor to get the van to stop. There is no grinding
o=
r
another noise coming from the brakes and the van stops straight. I
check=
ed
the brake fluid level and it was below the min mark (I had filled it
abou=
t
3
months ago with DOT 3). So I refilled it to the max mark, pumped the
brakes
until there was resistance on the pedal, got under the van and looked
for=
leaks. Nothing. Did this again and looked around and under the dash,
still nothing. I then drove the van up and down the street using the
brakes
frequently to see if the lack of resistance was due to the low brake
flui=
d
level, there was still no resistance on the pedal. If I pump the brakes
about five times there is resistance on the pedal, but that soon fades. =
The
brake pads are fine, and I can feel the brake booster kick-in when I
star=
t
the van. The van is an '84 Westy manual without power brakes and 141k
on=
the clock. I also checked around the clutch master cylinder for leaks
an=
d
found none.
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Mike D
<
First, make sure the brakes are bled, maybe there's some air. Then,
make=
sure the brake shoe adjusters are working correctly. This sympptom can
b=
e
caused by the shoes having to travel too far before they meet the drum.
John Fleming
85 Westy (160K)
84 Westy (195K) temporary member of the stable