Skip to main content
Gerry | Vanagon
Checking account...
← vanagon.com home · Continue the discussion in the forum
VanagonEuroVan

Search messages and discussions

Clear search

Search preserved mailing-list messages and current email and website contributions. Current posts are searchable before weekly archival. Recovery gaps remain possible. Words are matched together; try fewer terms if needed.

Page 8+: 60 results shown for Brake.

Source-balanced relevance: matches from both collections are interleaved, with source dates breaking ties. Restoration time is not the original posting date.

  • Brake fluid
    Historical mailing list
    Fri, 4 May 2018 12:27:29 -0400
    Can one mix Dot 3 and Dot 4 brake fluid in a Vanagon brake system, or is that not recommended? Dave B.
  • Re: Thought problem for Friday
    Historical mailing list - Mark McCulley
    Fri, 16 Mar 2018 10:18:09 -0700
    Can you remove the brake light bulbs and test to see if you can isolate to the regular brake lights or the high-mount...
  • when making a left turn, parking brake light comes on??? ideas?
    Historical mailing list
    Mon, 6 Mar 2006 04:13:00 EST
    ...I am using the same switch block for the parking brake indicator. When I make a left turn with the turnsignal on, the parking...
  • Re: Causes of Brake Pull at Highway Speeds? UPDATE
    Historical mailing list - neil n
    Mon, 27 May 2013 05:43:00 -0700
    ...So slacking off the e-brake cable, checking and re-adjusting the shoes, (if needed) then re-adjusting the e-brake cable would be...
  • Brake light flickering--Should I be worried?
    Historical mailing list - Dave Mancuso
    Fri, 17 May 96 13:50:24 -0400
    ...If I brake hard, I can get the light to come on and flicker brightly. 3. when I brake hard and it flickers, I...
  • Whining brake or bearing
    Historical mailing list - Jonathan Cooper
    Wed, 9 Sep 1998 10:13:04 -0400
    At times, if we have been going down a long hill with foot on the brake, we willl hear a rotational grinding which sounds...
  • Re: Brake bleeding problems
    Historical mailing list - Bryan Feddish
    Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:05:28 -0400
    ...I did 2 rounds of the "yell at your wife" method of brake bleeding, Got allot of air out. The brakes feel like they...
  • Re: GoWesty Big Brake Kit worth the extra $ ?
    Historical mailing list - Craig Cowan
    Thu, 5 Apr 2012 22:07:49 -0400
    I have Audi based big brakes on my Syncro and it's one of the best upgrades I've ever made. Buy in if...
  • Re: Brake warning light flickering
    Historical mailing list - Robert Stevens
    Wed, 7 Dec 2011 13:40:27 -0700
    On Dec 7, 2011, at 1:12 PM, David M wrote: > My brake warning light has started flickering when I'm in motion. I...
  • Re: The case of the missing brake fluid.
    Historical mailing list
    Fri, 20 Jan 95 14:00:37 MST
    --Dean Paul Karpowicz said:-- > > another weirder answer to the missing brake fluid could be that the BRAKE > master is leaking into the booster, hence...
  • Vanagon Brakes
    Historical mailing list - Gary McEachern
    Wed, 13 Sep 2000 23:35:40 EDT
    Hello When I brake hard, the front of the van drops down. Because of this I believe the front disc brakes provide the lions...
  • Re: Power Brake Bleeding
    Historical mailing list - Frank
    Fri, 8 Dec 2000 22:01:10 -0800
    ...Power Brake Bleeding > Volks, > > I replaced the wheel cylinders and calipers on my 85 GL. I have bled manual > brakes many times before, but...
  • Re: Cheap disc brake upgrade for Vanagons......
    Historical mailing list - Jeff at Vanagonparts
    Thu, 19 Aug 2004 16:08:26 -0700
    ...You can get a complete Vanagon rear disc brake system for about $1,500. Includes hubs, rotors, caliper adapters, calipers, brake pads, brakelines, screws...
  • Stuck brakedrum
    Historical mailing list - Jens Jakob Andersen
    Sat, 24 Jul 2004 22:48:11 +0200
    Hi I need some easy tips on how to loosen stuck brakedrum. Just BANG it REALLY hard with BIG MALLET? Or is there other...
  • Re: Mystery Loss of Power At Startup
    Historical mailing list - Roger Sisler
    Wed, 12 Apr 2006 13:58:53 -0400
    If you have brakes that are adjusted too tight, you will know it in 1 or 2 miles. Lots of excessive heat at the...
  • Re: Brake Fade
    Historical mailing list - Don Hanson
    Sun, 11 Sep 2011 18:26:55 -0700
    Brake rotor "paint"? To stop brake squeal? Coat the friction surface of brake pads with something, to stop brake squeal? I dunno about doing...
  • Re: drum brake woes
    Historical mailing list - neil n
    Sat, 17 Aug 2013 15:23:10 -0700
    did you bleed the brakes using the brake pedal? If so, and if the master is old..... I've read that a master cylinder...
  • Re: wierd brake stuff :-(
    Historical mailing list - John Rodgers
    Fri, 30 Jan 2004 09:05:14 -0600
    Adam, a proper brake bleed is the place to begin. To access the brake fluid reservoir -- which also serves the clutch - simply remove the...
  • Re: Setting E-brake causes adjuster to adjust? Hot Drums.
    Historical mailing list - Neil N
    Fri, 20 May 2016 12:00:26 -0700
    ...The pedal on my '88 sits higher, the e-brake is perfect, brakes work great. Rear brake work was done by a shop. I...
  • Re: I learned alot about my brakes today....
    Historical mailing list - neil N
    Tue, 1 Jul 2008 13:09:50 -0700
    ...new Vanagon brakes. Interesting to hear your impressions. Especially of a new Vanagon. I guess for me, the real problem is brake fade on...
  • Re: Speaking of rear disc brakes...
    Historical mailing list - Jeffrey Schwaia
    Thu, 22 Dec 2005 18:22:09 -0800
    I've locked up the front brakes on several Vanagons (both early & late). Trust me, it can be done. All you need is some...
  • Re: Big Brake options...Front Brakes do 80%
    Historical mailing list - Bruce Todd
    Fri, 11 Jun 2021 11:46:21 -0700
    I wonder if we were always driving backwards ( a different paradigm here) whether the rear brakes would complete more of the overall braking percentage...
  • Fw: 1981 Vanagon Brake Servo Replacement?
    Historical mailing list - Michael S. Nichols
    Thu, 13 Nov 2003 17:06:20 -0500
    ...1981 Vanagon Brake Servo Replacement? > > > Hello from Atlanta GA. My daily driver '81 has mysteriously lost brake > fluid over the past week. I found...
  • '84 Brake Parts needed.........
    Historical mailing list - Jason M. Yasment
    Sun, 30 May 1999 12:33:30 -0400
    ...I need a replacement set of the solid brake lines that attach to the calipers and flexible brake lines. Everything else in the brake...
  • Testing the Brake Light Switches
    Historical mailing list - mark drillock
    Mon, 26 Dec 2005 10:36:38 -0800
    ...One hydraulic circuit is for the front brakes and the other is for the rear brakes. If the rear brakes are not adjusted or...
  • Re: 90 Vanagon--Brake Lights Died
    Historical mailing list - Phillip Bouton
    Mon, 26 Oct 1998 11:06:55 -0500
    I have had both brake light bulbs go out at the same time. -----Original Message----- From: Suzanne Hackett [mailto:yetilvft@EARTHLINK.NET] Sent: Sunday...
  • Re: Brake fluid
    Historical mailing list - OlRivrRat
    Sat, 5 May 2018 14:42:04 -0600
    On 4 May , 2018, at 10:27 AM, ddbjorkman@verizon.net wrote: > Can one mix Dot 3 and Dot 4 brake fluid in a...
  • Sticking brakes
    Historical mailing list - Todd Last
    Fri, 26 Sep 1997 23:07:42 -0400
    I just replaced pads and rotors on my '88 Vanagon. (Girling brakes) I thought that I had done everything according to the manual, and...
  • parking brake
    Historical mailing list - Sean Birkner
    Wed, 29 Sep 1999 22:07:20 EDT
    I just replaced the brakes (front discs/pads, rear wheel cylinders/shoes, and upgraded to stainless steel lines all around), and now, no matter...
  • Wrong brake fluid??????????
    Historical mailing list - Jens Jakob Andersen
    Wed, 2 Jun 2004 18:37:51 +0200
    Hi I am reading the Bentley, and suddenly to my scare I read; "Do not add or mix DOT 5 silicone type brake fluid...
  • Re: 87 Syncro Brake Light Problem
    Historical mailing list - Mike Collum
    Sun, 31 Dec 2006 00:49:25 -0500
    Donna, On the master cylinder, which is under the instrument cluster cover, are two switches (brake light switches) that are actuated by hydraulic pressure...
  • Re: 90 Westy - Soft Brakes after driving with E-brake on for 30 miles
    Historical mailing list - Michael Sullivan
    Sun, 26 Sep 2010 17:27:42 -0500
    ...for 40-something miles . . . > > We had to put in a new brake booster and some other brake parts. You could > put fluid in but...
  • Setting E-brake causes adjuster to adjust? Hot Drums.
    Historical mailing list - Neil N
    Fri, 20 May 2016 00:01:10 -0700
    ...With my foot on the brake pedal while setting the e-brake, I feel the pedal drop very very slightly. I know this means...
  • Spongy Brakes
    Historical mailing list - gary hradek
    Tue, 17 Jun 2003 14:12:40 -0700
    Blake, I have brakes too that I am not sure about. If you hit the brakes hard? can yo lock up the brakes? Seems...
  • Re: 90 Westy - Soft Brakes after driving with E-brake on for 30 miles
    Historical mailing list - Bill Shawley
    Sun, 26 Sep 2010 23:16:37 +0000
    ...90 Westy - Soft Brakes after driving with E-brake on for 30 miles > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > > I am not a professional, as...
  • Re: New brakes and pedal question
    Historical mailing list - Keith Hughes
    Wed, 10 Sep 2014 10:24:54 -0700
    ...I installed the Big Brake Kit from Van-Cafe last year, along with their HD drums and steel brake lines and all hydraulics. The...
  • Re: braided SST brake lines
    Historical mailing list - EMZ
    Mon, 19 Apr 1999 12:31:19 -0400
    ...Kicking the e-brake up one notch while braking > also helps *a bit*. This indicates bleeding and adjustment may help a > little. > > What kind...
  • Re: brake fluid change
    Historical mailing list - Jeffrey Schwaia
    Fri, 12 Nov 2004 15:45:15 -0800
    Richard, IIRC, most of the German car owner's manuals recommend changing the brake fluid every 2 years. Cheers, Jeff www.vanagonparts.com -----Original...
  • Re: emergency brake doesn't work well? - Non VW content
    Historical mailing list - Todd Last
    Tue, 26 Nov 2002 20:12:34 -0800
    There have been many interesting emergency brake designs over the years. If you had an early 60's Chrysler product, you would find a...
  • Re: Any better BRAKES? for 91 Westy
    Historical mailing list - harald_nancy
    Thu, 8 Apr 1999 20:25:23 -0700
    Horace, IMHO, I think the vanagon brakes are actually pretty good, if they are in good condition. If your brakes are not adequate, you...
  • Re: Causes of Brake Pull at Highway Speeds? UPDATE
    Historical mailing list - Dennis Haynes
    Mon, 27 May 2013 09:24:34 -0400
    ...Causes of Brake Pull at Highway Speeds? UPDATE Thanks Dennis. So slacking off the e-brake cable, checking and re-adjusting the shoes, (if...
  • Re: More brake questions
    Historical mailing list - John Rodgers
    Sun, 26 Jun 2005 07:54:20 -0500
    Have someone keep the brake fluid reservoir full while you bleed the system. Use a clear soft drink bottle and a piece of clear...
  • Re: GoWesty Big Brake Kit worth the extra $ ?
    Historical mailing list - Mike Miller
    Thu, 5 Apr 2012 19:18:14 -0700
    ...GoWesty Big Brake Kit worth the extra $ ? I have Audi based big brakes on my Syncro and it's one of the best upgrades...
  • Re: Slipping Brakes?
    Historical mailing list - Sean Bartnik
    Thu, 4 Dec 1997 15:07:57 EST
    Mike, Your description of how the Vanagon self-adjusting rear brakes work is accurate, but irrelevant here. The original poster who is experiencing this...
  • How to rebuild a brake caliper?
    Historical mailing list - Carlen, Gregg
    Thu, 13 Sep 2001 14:44:36 -0400
    Does anyone have instructions posted somewhere on how to rebuild a front brake caliper? My van sat for almost a year and now the...
  • Source for Stainless Steel Brake Lines
    Historical mailing list - Sam Stone
    Tue, 13 Sep 2005 14:22:23 -0500
    My '85 Westy needs a brake job and new brake lines. What is a good source for stainles steel brake lines. I don't...
  • Re: Emergency brake light stays on
    Historical mailing list - Mark Drillock
    Sat, 16 Dec 2006 08:35:42 -0800
    Your brake fluid level is probably low. All 85 and newer Vanagons have a level sensor in the brake fluid tank behind the speedometer...
  • Re: Rear brake adjustment wheels?
    Historical mailing list - Jim Felder
    Fri, 13 May 2016 14:23:51 +0000
    I didn't come up with this, but it was handy enough that I clipped and saved it to my notepad: "Drum brake adjustment...
  • 4-wheel Porsche di$c brake for Vanagon
    Historical mailing list - Andrew Grebneff
    Tue, 7 May 2002 21:34:00 +1200
    From Jens Hansen in Germany, maker of kits to fit Porsche (and custom) brakes to VW T3s like ours. Hi Andrew, how are you...
  • Re: Improved front brakes?
    Historical mailing list - BenT Syncro
    Mon, 22 Nov 2004 18:50:22 -0800
    ...1) early vans can upgrade with later style brakes 2) SA big brakes available for both early & late vans. Both 2wd and Syncro. 3...
  • Re: Brake pedal is high in warm weather?
    Historical mailing list - Stan Wilder
    Fri, 14 May 2004 08:53:48 -0500
    ...The brake pedal should have about 1/2" of free travel before it develops resistance. You might also look for a vacuum leak in...
  • Brakes - an idea?
    Historical mailing list - Geneva Saint-Amour
    Fri, 2 May 2014 15:20:40 -0700
    Still trouble with rear brakes. What are your thoughts on just switching to disc brakes? Sent from my electronic leash! Geneva Saint-Amour
  • Re: More brake questions
    Historical mailing list - Robert Cardo
    Sat, 25 Jun 2005 23:41:10 -0500
    Open up the brake cylinder bleeder's, keep the master full of brake fluid, and let gravity do the job for you..
  • Re: 1985 Vanagon - parking brake cable adjustment
    Historical mailing list - Dennis Haynes
    Sun, 6 Jan 2008 18:53:57 -0500
    The only proper way to adjust the brake cables is with the drums removed so you can see the lever position. The rear cables...
  • Re: Pedal Pressure & Brake Lights
    Historical mailing list - Scott Daniel - Turbovans
    Sat, 3 Jul 2010 12:25:31 -0700
    ...Pedal Pressure & Brake Lights > Hi all. > > It's likely that my brakes engage before brake lights come on. (need a > helper to confirm this...
  • Re: I learned alot about my brakes today....
    Historical mailing list - David Kao
    Tue, 1 Jul 2008 11:33:19 -0700
    ...I hope Craig has got all the tips he needs to solve his brake problem. Vanagons need brake work more frequent than any other...
  • Re: Adding rear disc brakes
    Historical mailing list - John Rodgers
    Sun, 16 Aug 2009 12:09:18 -0500
    ...A brake kit >> that works well with the existing front disc brakes? If anyone has >> installed on and has experience with it any input...
  • Re: replacing front brake hoses (WAS Re: upgrading brakes in 83.5)
    Historical mailing list - OlRivrRat
    Thu, 21 Jun 2018 08:58:46 -0600
    ...Bleed the whole brake system, starting at the back right (passenger side) brake and work your way up. Lots of info in the archives...
  • brake shoes cont.
    Historical mailing list - Lee Roesner
    Sun, 12 Mar 2000 17:34:24 -0600
    ...After some re-adjustments of brake settings and a thorough search for the 7mm wrench in my garage (which I did not find-found...
  • Some brake tech/ideas (long)
    Historical mailing list - Don Hanson
    Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:19:42 -0700
    ...The brakes on my 84 are in perfect shape, and they aren't very good brakes. I know good brakes from my Porsche racing...