Date:         Sun, 4 Oct 1998 21:22:07 -0700
Reply-To:     Steven Johnson <sjohnson@CALWEB.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Steven Johnson <sjohnson@CALWEB.COM>
Subject:      brake reservoir leak
Comments: To: Vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

S_J_ WACKER wrote:
>I know this is discussed on a regular basis, but I can't access the
>archives. The reservoir behind the instrument cluster is empty and there
>is a drip at the bottom of the clutch master cylinder, but it hasn't
>stained the carpet so I'm not sure if I need to replace/rebuild anything.
>At any rate I want to check it out and replace the brake fluid and the
>Bentley seems to be devoid of any information on how to service the
>reservoir and master cylinder.

Steve,

I suspect your clutch master cylinder is starting to leak.  I just
completed replacing mine today.  Not as easy as I thought.  Get a
replacement from Ron and put it in before you get a real mess on
your carpet.  Here's a tip.  Taking out the old one from the drivers
side isn't too bad.  But when putting the new one in, I couldn't get
my hands in the tight area.  I spent most of the afternoon fussing
with this.  I even called Unca Joel for input, but he hasn't
experienced this... ahem... joy, but he did send me a nice photo
of the parts.  Anyway, I finally got a better angle by coming in
from the passenger side, laying down on my left side and was able
to get both hands around the pedals to do the tough job of getting
the cylinder aligned with one hand and the other hand to put in and
start the bolt.  If you're going to to this yourself, I strongly
suggest saving this message.

Good Luck,
Steven
Sacramento, CA
sjohnson@calweb.com