Date:         Tue, 16 Dec 1997 09:30:29 -0500
Reply-To:     "Michael T. DeLessio" <delessio@SONALYSTS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.sdsc.edu>
From:         "Michael T. DeLessio" <delessio@SONALYSTS.COM>
Subject:      Brakes
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone that responded to my Brakes post.  I
bleed the brakes and the clutch slave cylinder twice, got all the air out
the second time.  The brakes are much better now, but still a tad soft.
I've been driving another car for the past few weeks, so I can't remember if
they were always that soft.
Once again the list has helped me solve a problem.

Thanks again,
Mike D.

Still low on the learning curve, but moving up



>
> 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 or
> another noise coming from the brakes and the van stops straight.  I checked
> the brake fluid level and it was below the min mark (I had filled it about 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 fluid
> 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 start
> 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 and
> found none.
>
> Any help would be greatly appreciated
>
> Mike D
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Michael Delessio                                        Sonalysts, Inc.
Email: delessio@sonalysts.com                        215 Parkway North
Work: (401)849-0400 X130                            Waterford CT 06385
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