Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2006 13:42:46 -0700
Reply-To: Shawn Wright <vwdiesels@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Shawn Wright <vwdiesels@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Brake Problem or Nature of the Beast?
In-Reply-To: <20060827191206.18887.qmail@web33314.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
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I would start with flushing the system using new DOT 4 fluid. If you're getting fade that bad
just from leaving the e-brake on, chances are your fluid is old and has a lowered boiling point
from absorbing moisture. This will cause corrosion in the system, especially the rear
cylinders. I change it every 2 years as recommended, by having someone pump the pedal
while I open each bleeder in turn. Once the fluid runs clear, move to the next wheel. It will
probably be rust coloured to start with. Might as well do the clutch while you're there, since
they share a reservoir. Be careful not to let the tank go below min - I usually fill right up, then
bleed a wheel, and have the "pumper" watch the fluid level. Use short (1/2 -3/4) strokes while
pumping brakes to avoid damaging seal on cylinder ridge.
On 27 Aug 2006 at 12:12, mad madeline <mac10wv@YAHOO.COM> wrote:
> After purchasing my '87 Westy, I drove it home 350 miles.
> At the beginning of the trip, I accidently left the emergency brake on for
> about 5-10 miles at freeway speeds. Didn't realize it until I used the brake
> pedal to slow down, and found there was no pedal! The brake pedal worked
> after I pumped it a few times. I pulled off the freeway (brake pedal barely
> worked), and read the manual, which seemed to indicate this brake fade might
> happen when the emergency brake is left on while driving and things heat-up.
> After the car cooled off, the brakes worked again. However, I notice driving
> the van that it does not come to a stop easily. I don't remember how it felt
> before this happened, and its been a few years since I've driven a vanagon.
>
> I thought maybe the front brakes didn't work so:
> I pulled the front week and checked the calipers and find they do operate. The
> pads are in great shape ( 0.5 inches). The rotors are too at 16.65 mm. There
> is no brake fluid leak from the cylinders (or anywhere else).
>
> Could other brake components be bad? The master cylinder does not leak. Not
> sure ow to tell if the Power assist servo is working.
>
> Could it be that I am too used to driving newer cars and the slower braking is
> the nature of the beast?
>
> Don
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messengerīs low PC-to-Phone call rates.
Shawn Wright
http://members.shaw.ca/vwdiesels
'88 Westy 1.6TD 5 speed
'85 Jetta Diesel 1.6NA
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