Date: Mon, 18 May 2015 11:08:10 -0400
Reply-To: "kenneth wilford (Van-Again)" <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "kenneth wilford (Van-Again)" <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: 1981 Brake Caliper Decision
In-Reply-To: <CAB2Rwfhf+jNADRvvTHqe7H8h9TgzQJXvjj=SNsj0qWBpB=TWKQ@mail.gmail.com>
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Neil, I have done many, many full brake system refurbishments over the
years. One of the first ones I did was on an early Vanagon like yours.
Everything was brand new, yet I could tell that the pedal feel was low and
soft. Someone on the list recommended adjusting the rear drums properly.
That is where all of the problems were. I have seen the rear brakes put
together incorrectly so many times, that will do it as well. I would pull
the rear drums, use the diagram from the Bentley to be sure that the
adjusters and springs are all installed correctly. Then you want to adjust
the drums until the rear shoes are just kissing the drum (you will hear a
little rubbing when you turn the drum but not dragging and the wheel can
still turn easily). Do this and see if this helps your situation. It
should bring your brakes up to par without spending any more money (unless
you find something missing or broken). If this helps you out and you want
to donate to us, we have a paypal link on our site. I know you don't buy
parts from us so I thought I would mention the donation button.
Let us know how you make out.
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
On Sun, May 17, 2015 at 7:34 PM, Neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi all.
>
> The back ground info is below, but here's the bottom line; I need to
> improve the braking on my '81 Westy. I suspect the rebuilt calipers I
> installed
> several years ago, never worked 100% correctly due to poor quality
> assembly or
> parts. i.e. one leaked right away. Image: http://tinyurl.com/lqsx4gf
>
> My choices:
>
> - upgrade steering knuckles, install a "Bigger Brake Kit"
> - upgrade steering knuckles, install new '86 + calipers etc.
> - rebuild a spare set of Girling calipers.
>
> Is rebuilding the old style calipers a waste of time? Most of those
> cores are pretty old now,
> have likely been rebuilt at least a few times, and I've heard that
> some rebuild kits may not be of good quality. However. I have what may
> be a decent set of calipers I could clean up and rebuild.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Neil.
>
> Since I'd been driving my '88 Westy the last while, I've since
> discovered that the brakes in my '81 Westy pale terribly in
> comparison. I had a Vanagon mechanic road test the '81 brakes. His
> first comment about them was something akin to 'they're crappy'.
> He also suggested it could be a caliper issue; I'd installed rebuilt
> calipers
> several years ago (along with doing a bunch of other brake work)
> The brake system is in otherwise good condition but the brakes just
> don't "bite" as well as my '88 brakes, there is considerable fade,
> pedal doesn't feel as hard as that on my '88.
> Rear shoe were is normal and even. I'm certain no air is in the
> hydraulic system.
> The mechanic said he'd run into a problem like this before. He removed the
> pads,
> and carefully pushed the brake pedal down to move the pistons further out
> in an
> effort to (reseat?) the piston O ring. He said this improved the
> brakes and that the
> issue had to do with either the piston position or the O ring itself
> (not flexing enough?)
>
> --
> Neil n
>
> Blog: Vanagons, Westfalia, general <http://tubaneil.blogspot.ca>
>
> 1988 Westy Images <https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/New1988Westy>
>
> 1981 Westfalia "Jaco" Images, technical <http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/>
>
> Vanagon-Bus VAG Gas Engine Swap Group <http://tinyurl.com/khalbay>
>
--
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
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