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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 1+: 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.

• [PREVIEW TEST] The bus wants coffee before mile zero
  Email contribution - Michael Barbine
  2026-10-19T05:26:04.000Z
  ...it will move after coffee, and I will stop calling the parking brake "cruise control." For this controlled Gerry preview test, does one email...
• Re: emergency brake doesn't work well?
  Historical mailing list - H R
  Tue, 26 Nov 2002 16:46:28 -0800
  Driving with the hand brake pulled happens to everyone once in awhile. But it's not an indicator that the emergency/hand brake doesn...
• Re: Brake light sensitivity
  Historical mailing list - Michael A. Radtke
  Thu, 1 Nov 2001 11:16:29 -0700
  Blake, The brake light switch works on brake fluid pressure in my '84 and there are actually two switches, one for each brake fluid...
• Re: Hot brakes!
  Historical mailing list - Dan N
  Sat, 14 Apr 2018 09:24:56 -0700
  I had the same smoking front brakes experience on a SUV but not on vanagon according to the mechanic: - failed brake hoses (brake fluid...
• Re: Need for upgraded brakes for engine conversion
  Historical mailing list - John Reddick
  Sat, 14 Jul 2007 07:47:27 -0400
  Sorry Andrew, I have to dissagree with you on the brake thing. VW type 3's were built as heavy duty, 1 ton rated...
• Brake bias
  Historical mailing list - TODD P. LAST
  Fri, 11 Jun 2021 17:21:43 -0700
  ...href="https://www.brakes-shop.com/brakepedia/general/brake-bias-and-performance">https://www.brakes-shop.com/brakepedia/general/brake-bias-and-performance</a...
• Re: Parking brake pressure (was I've had it)
  Historical mailing list - Dave Mcneely
  Sat, 3 Jul 2010 19:51:41 -0500
  ---- Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM> wrote: > it's an 84 I think.. > even when you yank those early parking brake handles on pretty...
• Re: Brake Failure Warning Light
  Historical mailing list - Michael Sullivan
  Wed, 9 Sep 2009 11:30:54 -0500
  <Hopefully, Dave felt the brake pedal go to the floor and didn't need that warning light to tell him he had no brakes...
• RE: Low brake pedal
  Historical mailing list - Suniga, Durby
  Mon, 7 Apr 1997 09:32:28 -0700
  ...Upon rechecking the brake system, I found a slight leak from the rear brake cylinder(passenger side). I replaced both rear brake cylinders & now...
• E Brake
  Historical mailing list - David Boan
  Sat, 31 Jul 2021 21:03:39 +0000
  Hi Vanagon Types; I have been dealing with, and mostly solving, several issues with brakes since I rebuilt the trailing arms and rear brakes...
• Brake Warning Light Behavior
  Historical mailing list - Steve Williams
  Tue, 25 Nov 2014 05:53:24 -0800
  ...The brake warning light comes on bright when the hand brake is set. When I release the hand brake, the warning light goes dark...
• Brake Bleeding
  Historical mailing list - John Rodgers
  Mon, 2 Sep 2002 11:25:10 -0500
  I replaced my brake master cylinder yesterday and now need to bleed the brakes. Is it necessary to futz with the brake pressure regulator...
• Re: Vanagon rear brake
  Historical mailing list
  Mon, 13 Feb 95 11:27:46 PST
  I pulled my brake drums off over the weekend and realized that the rear brakes are due for renewal. Any suggestion of which brand...
• Re: emergency brake doesn't work well?
  Historical mailing list - Philip Chidlaw
  Tue, 26 Nov 2002 19:05:22 -0800
  I guess our old Merz-Daimler 240D would be the exception to the hi-perf & powerful rule for cars with this hand brake config...
• Re: Brake fluid overfilled
  Historical mailing list - Kent Christensen
  Mon, 6 Mar 2000 21:39:44 -0700
  ...Brake fluid just sitting in the reservoir does nothing, and if it did it would drag front brakes too. Again, the only problem caused...
• Re: Brake question......
  Historical mailing list - Don Hanson
  Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:50:41 -0700
  ...Brake fade is mostly caused by the moisture in your brake fluid turning to steam. Brake fluid has a very very high boiling point...
• Re: tightening up emergency brakes to pass inspection
  Historical mailing list - Pascal Giasson
  Mon, 19 Dec 2005 21:44:14 -0500
  To do it right I would loosen the emergency brake cable from under the van and adjust the brakes using a screwdriver to turn...
• Re: Brake Warning Light Behavior
  Historical mailing list - Jim Felder
  Tue, 25 Nov 2014 08:00:10 -0600
  ...The brake > pedal feels normal, so I don't think one of the hydraulic circuits is > out. When I release the brake pedal, the...
• Re: Parking brake pressure (was I've had it)
  Historical mailing list - Scott Daniel - Turbovans
  Sat, 3 Jul 2010 21:21:09 -0700
  re Parking brake works only on the rear brakes, and without looking at > the setup I'll guess that it probably works only on...
• Re: Parking Brake Slipping
  Historical mailing list - mark drillock
  Mon, 12 Aug 2002 17:37:16 -0700
  You should remove the drums and look at the brake hardware. The parking brake cable moves a lever that is attached to the rear...
• Re: Brake light sensitivity
  Historical mailing list - Patrick Harris
  Sun, 4 Nov 2001 09:14:50 -0800
  ...That even though the brakes are working fine, the brake lights are failing to come on until the brakes are applied firmly. I must...
• Re: Master cylinder question
  Historical mailing list - Zoran Mladen
  Tue, 27 May 2008 08:17:32 -0700
  In both cases I think you guys need to check your rear brake adjustment / adjusters.� The rear brakes are self adjusting.� If they are...
• Re: Electrical gremlin dash brake light
  Historical mailing list - Neil
  Sun, 25 Apr 2021 11:33:30 -0700
  I assume the van is running and your foot is on the brake pedal when you're doing your tests. With the tires safely...
• Re: Brakes still going to the floor
  Historical mailing list - Chris S
  Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:03:07 -0400
  ...It would be prudent to inspect rear brakes. If all looks good readjust rear brakes: loosen the parking brake cables, remove clean and lube...
• Re: Master cylinder question
  Historical mailing list - David Kao
  Mon, 26 May 2008 23:54:37 -0700
  I am no expert in Vanagon brakes. But I did two brake jobs on my two Vanagons recently. The result of the fist brake...
• Re: Parking brake pressure (was I've had it)
  Historical mailing list - David Beierl
  Sat, 3 Jul 2010 22:03:29 -0400
  At 08:51 PM 7/3/2010 Saturday, Dave Mcneely wrote: >When I set the brake, the van won't move (in 1st gear...
• Re: Brake warning light
  Historical mailing list - Loren A. Busch
  Sun, 18 May 2003 00:17:43 -0700
  Your brake warning light indicates one (or both) of two things: low brake fluid or a problem when you try to apply the brakes...
• Big Brakes (review)
  Historical mailing list - Kim Brennan
  Tue, 6 Jul 2004 00:28:23 -0400
  Okay, so now I've got a few hundred miles on my new Big Brakes. Do I notice a difference? Subtlely, yes. But I...
• Parking Brake Slipping
  Historical mailing list - Steven Dodson
  Mon, 12 Aug 2002 19:55:50 -0400
  ...My new 87 Syncro GL's parking brake has been slipping and I've had to pull the brake lever excessively high to get...
• Fwd: RE: Brake Repair '81 Vanagon
  Historical mailing list - Robert Lilley
  Tue, 21 Jul 1998 13:16:34 -0700
  Joe, How bad are your componets? Is this something you can do yourself? The vanagons brakes are not not too hard to do. I...
• Re: Brake fluid overfilled
  Historical mailing list - Brent Christensen
  Mon, 6 Mar 2000 21:08:25 -0800
  ...Brake fluid just sitting in the > reservoir does nothing, and if it did it would drag front brakes too. > Again, the only problem caused...
• Re: Parking brake pressure (was I've had it)
  Historical mailing list - Scott Daniel - Turbovans
  Sat, 3 Jul 2010 18:22:00 -0700
  ...The > parking brake was on, but the front wheels spun freely. Right, or wrong? > Van brakes perfectly well, but the parking brake does not...
• Re: Parking brake pressure (was I've had it)
  Historical mailing list - Alistair Bell
  Sat, 3 Jul 2010 20:56:44 -0700
  davids, vanagon parking brake in theory applies braking to both rears. Mis- adjustment of brakes may mean one drum gets more brake pressure than...
• Brake Question
  Historical mailing list - Alan Gondry
  Mon, 5 Aug 2002 14:57:44 -0700
  ...I recently changed my front brakes and wheel bearings. Bleed all brakes. Now when I start my day (mostly backing out of the drive...
• Re: Master cylinder question
  Historical mailing list - David Kao
  Tue, 27 May 2008 09:19:59 -0700
  ...The rear > brakes are self adjusting. If they are not working, you get more and more gap in the rear > brakes causing the pdeal...
• Re: Brake question......
  Historical mailing list - Scott Daniel - Turbovans
  Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:13:12 -0700
  I was surprised how low the boiling point of brake fluid is. Dot 3 is only 273F I think, which isn't that far...
• emergency brakes
  Historical mailing list - Mark Keller
  Mon, 25 Nov 2002 12:20:52 -0800
  Mark, Normally, Rear brakes are self-adjusting. The Bently does not say they are or are not. Bentley's service interval section in the...
• Cheap disc brake upgrade for 81'-85' V'gons (a Long Report)
  Historical mailing list - P. Stanhope
  Sat, 21 Aug 2004 08:12:07 -0700
  Three options for those of us that want to upgrade the disc brakes on our older 81'-85'vanagons: A. convert to 86'-91...
• Re: Spongy Brakes (Help!)
  Historical mailing list - Scott Sullivan
  Thu, 19 Jun 2003 10:58:47 -0700
  ...If the e brake cannot lock up the rears start there. Brake cylinders, brake shoe movement, brake glazing are all suspects. Now the question...
• Re: New drums, now brake pedal goes to floor
  Historical mailing list - BRENT CHRISTENSEN
  Mon, 15 May 2000 12:17:13 -0700
  IMHO, the rear brakes do not "self adjust" the way the Bendix brakes do. You really have to get them close by hand after...
• Re: Spongy Brakes & Travel to Yellowstone
  Historical mailing list - John Rodgers
  Fri, 20 Jun 2003 15:31:40 -0500
  Ed Bass wrote: >I'm a little late for the thread but I wanted to advise that my 87 Westy >also has spongy brakes...
• Re: Parking Brake Slipping
  Historical mailing list - Fredrich Hesterberg
  Mon, 12 Aug 2002 21:02:26 -0500
  ...I have found this is most important for parking brake, and regular brake to be working good. Lever is important, but no adjust is...
• Re: Brake Warning Light Behavior
  Historical mailing list - Dennis Haynes
  Tue, 25 Nov 2014 17:43:16 -0500
  ...The brake warning light comes on bright when the hand brake is set. When I release the hand brake, the warning light goes dark...
• Is this normal?
  Historical mailing list - William A. McKinley
  29 Apr 96 20:27:00 EDT
  >Brakes: > >To get the emergency brake to hold on a steep hill I need to pull the >handle back quite far and very hard...
• Re: front brakes
  Historical mailing list - Scott Daniel - Turbovans
  Mon, 4 Jun 2012 19:36:35 -0700
  re : > I was pumping the brakes all the way down and going slow. > Her front brakes were smoking when we got to the bottom...
• Re: Brake Failure Warning Light
  Historical mailing list - Don Hanson
  Wed, 9 Sep 2009 09:50:45 -0700
  ...Leave the parking brake on and miss that Brake warning light behind the wheel spoke. My parking brake (84-style) is so weak that...
• RE thread on brakes, Dot3,4, etc.(long post)
  Historical mailing list - Don Hanson
  Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:53:08 -0700
  A little on brakes, for general information. When brakes "overheat", a couple of different things happen. A couple of different causes of poor stopping...
• Rear Brakes: E-brake lever lube, E-brake spring function (purpose)
  Historical mailing list - Neil N
  Thu, 5 May 2016 13:22:40 -0700
  ...if I push brake pedal down then pull up e-brake, pedal drops very slightly -- Neil n Blog: Vanagons, Westfalia, general <http://tubaneil.blogspot...
• Re: Weak Brakes - '88GL
  Historical mailing list - Scott Daniel - Turbovans
  Wed, 15 Jun 2011 20:49:40 -0700
  hi John, you say 'brake fluid is up'... but you didn't start driving a van that's been sitting 10 years and not...
• Re: Need for upgraded brakes for engine conversion
  Historical mailing list - Andrew Grebneff
  Mon, 16 Jul 2007 22:34:07 +1200
  >Sorry Andrew, I have to dissagree with you on the brake thing. >VW type 3's were built as heavy duty, 1 ton rated...
• Re: Hot brakes!
  Historical mailing list
  Sun, 15 Apr 2018 17:05:49 -0400
  ...Hot brakes! I had the same smoking front brakes experience on a SUV but not on vanagon according to the mechanic: - failed brake hoses...
• Re: Parking Brake ?
  Historical mailing list - Chris Stann
  Mon, 28 Jan 2002 08:10:25 -0600
  John, I'd check the parking brake cables underneath the van first, then pull the rear drums to see of the parking brake cable...
• Re: Cockeyed Parking Brake Equalizer
  Historical mailing list - Mike \"Rocket J Squirrel\"
  Wed, 14 Jul 2010 07:04:31 -0700
  ...I still would like to take up the slack in the parking brake linkage, and don't care to open up the brakes prior...
• Re: a Memorial Day e-brake memory problem
  Historical mailing list - Dennis Haynes
  Tue, 26 May 2009 06:17:55 -0400
  Jeff, You need to inspect the rear brakes. The most likely loser here is the wheel cylinders. Also, it is a good idea to...
• Re: Parking Brake Slipping
  Historical mailing list - mark drillock
  Tue, 13 Aug 2002 00:09:20 -0700
  Terry, you must not have worked on Vanagon rear brakes for a while, if ever. There is no adjustment at the bottom. Check your...
• Brake resonse post appears to be blocked,
  Historical mailing list - Dennis Haynes
  Thu, 12 Dec 2024 00:34:06 +0000
  As a test, pull up hand brake and then try. If pedal firms up with brake pulled, then problem is in the brake set...
• Re: emergency brakes
  Historical mailing list - H R
  Tue, 26 Nov 2002 12:14:04 -0800
  In my experience, often the rear brakes don't work, because they have been installed wrong. I once bought a vanagon for which the...
• Big Brakes for 14'' rims? WAS: Re: front brakes
  Historical mailing list - Rocket J Squirrel
  Mon, 4 Jun 2012 11:34:52 -0700
  On 06/04/2012 11:05 AM, Ken Wilford wrote: > Yes we have been selling the big brake kits for many, many years and...
• Re: what do I need for better brakes on 85
  Historical mailing list - Chris S
  Tue, 24 Sep 2019 10:40:38 -0400
  Is the effort high as in hard pedal? Is the pedal squishy? Have rear brakes been adjusted properly? Loosen hand brake cables fully, adjust...
• a Memorial Day e-brake memory problem
  Historical mailing list - Jeffrey Lubin
  Mon, 25 May 2009 17:08:36 -0400
  Last night, while visiting friends for Memorial Day weekend festivities, I parked the van on a hill and set the e-brake, which I...