Date:         Thu, 1 Dec 2016 11:23:41 -0500
Reply-To:     Eric Wunrow <VW@ERICWUNROW.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Eric Wunrow <VW@ERICWUNROW.COM>
Subject:      Re: Mechanical/Brakes/1984 Westy
In-Reply-To:  <CA75A18C-1496-4849-8E44-4E6EB90599D8@EricWunrow.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252

THANK YOU everyone for your help!!!

The problem is fixed, and as I "just knew," yes my brake issue was related to putting in front bearings.

As I kept saying ad nauseum, coincidences are rare in the mechanical world…


Here's the short version… 
All Vanagons prior to later 1984 ending with 150001 as their chassis number (findable on the rearward side of the frame wall under the bus and below the passenger seat), which should match the VIN if not chopped, had a smaller front spindle diameter. 

In our case, the mechanic used the later-version bearings on our early-1984 bus, meaning there was a huge amount of slop in the front bearings that enabled rotor-centering inconsistencies under braking. Hence, pedal went to floor, then fine, then somewhere in between...


Sans repeating the entire saga, and hopefully without irritating our lovely hosts here, here's all the details:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=667705&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

My friend hosting us here is the OP, Jivermo, I am E1.


It's a roller coaster ride, Ba-by, enjoy and maybe learn something!


Thanks!

   Eric
   Eric Wunrow Pictures
   303. 988. 8717

   VW@EricWunrow.com (for this list's emails)
   EW@EricWunrow.com (for private messages)



On Nov 19, 2016, at 2:44 PM, Eric Wunrow <VW@EricWunrow.com> wrote:

> Hello, Dubber Friends:
> 
> 
> Okay, so here's the gig…
> 
> I had lots of left-front bearing noise of late, worsening over this last 1,000 miles or so — despite having new bearings put in 36,000 miles ago… though by a mechanic back home in Denver who proved more than a little shady later. BUT, we are full-timers and overloaded on weight a bit, so premature failure was somewhat expected anyway.
> 
> Regardless, early this week I had an independent VW mechanic install new inner and outer bearings on both fronts. When seeing his shop, faith took a dive but I gave the benefit of the doubt. When both bearings came loose in a one-mile test drive, faith lessened. < Yes, he reused the retainer nuts which I later learned is as spooky as it gets! > 
> 
> When the speedo suddenly didn't work, and brake pedal pressure was equally-suddenly inconsistent, he passed it all off as "coincidental" and my faith went to zero. I do not think he opened any bleeds or anything else to introduce air. He did not put anything between the front pads to keep them the proper distance apart. I believe I had new brake lines installed 36,000 miles ago. I had him bleed the fronts a little and re-adjust the retainer nuts (getting spookier!), and though the brakes were the same, at least the wheels didn't fly off on the drive to Miami! 
> 
> But as eluded to, the worst part is my perfectly-functioning brakes are all over the place in pressure: One heavy braking, all the way to the floor... Pump them once or twice, fine... Next time, same or somewhere in-between. Said mechanic claimed it all as total coincidence, or that the rear brakes needed adjustment. Huh…
> 
> EVERYTHING but the bearings were working perfectly until he opened his toolbox.
> 
> I limped it 80 miles to a friend's in Miami. We just bled the brakes as per the manual, RR first, LR second, RF third, LF last. Lots of air in there from a quite-baffling source. After bleeding the pedal was nice and stiff as a board. When I fired it up, the pedal goes a little softer but I think this is normal. First time on out road test the brakes went to the floor again.
> 
> 
> PLEASE HELP, and Thanks!!!
> 
>   Eric
>   Eric Wunrow Pictures
>   303. 988. 8717
> 
>   VW@EricWunrow.com (for this list's emails)
>   EW@EricWunrow.com (for private messages)
>