Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (December 1997)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
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


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.