Date:         Sat, 20 Mar 1999 11:34:46 -0800
Reply-To:     harald_nancy <harald_nancy@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         harald_nancy <harald_nancy@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Brake caliper question
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Bill,
Had something like that happen to me.
Did a complete front brake job on my old D 50 truck.
I did everything by the book. The works. The discs were
well within their specs, and I had them resurfaced at a
professional brake shop. Problem: The brakes were
pulsating worse after the discs were turned than before
I redid them.
Took me a while to figure out the cause.
Turned out the guy working in the brake shop didn't mount
the discs right when he resurfaced them. Only found out
after I paid another shop to resurface the discs again.
Luckily there was lots of metal left on them.
Anyway, after that the brakes were smooth as silk.
I tell you it was a real bummer.
Of course, in your case, it could be something else.
Just a thought.
Harald
90 westy.
member of  wetwesties.

Bill wrote:
> After having my new tires installed the mechanc said there was noise in
> the front wheel bearings and or  brakes. I knew there was a noise but
> was hoping it was the rear brakes and not the front. When I bought the
> van and redid the brakes I paid to have the rears done but I did the
> fronts myself.
>
> I thought I did the job right. I replaced the rotors with used ones that
> I had turned, also installed new wheel bearings, races, seals, washer,
> axle nut, and of course pads. The spindles weren't beautiful but they
> seemed passable- a little worn. They probaby should be replaced but I
> can't afford that now. I used high temp disc brake grease when I packed
> the bearings. I did not have to bleed the system as I never opened it.
>
> I suspect the calipers since there is a pulsing/grabbing sensation when
> you hit the brakes. How do you test calipers or proper function in both
> directions. I can't afford to replace both calipers and hope thats the
> fix.
>
> Any ideas about the calipers or something I might have missed are
> welcomed.
>
> TIA, Bill
> '91 Carat