Okay, my dieselbox has decided to recreate a scene from the Blues Brothers.
Y'know, the part when the Bluesmobile completely falls apart? Well, in the
last few days, the brakes have started squalling on stops, the driver's front
rim gets suspicious, tacky wet patches on it (leaky caliper), and the
passenger front wheel bearing sounds like somebody poured a box of tacks into
it. Plus, the head gasket has decided to start leaking oil at the main
oilway, and the pan gasket has taken it's cue from the head gasket. To frost
the cake, the alternator warning light came on today (inspection showed a
munched brush pack), and the brake booster has taken it's leave. Oh,
yeah...the muffler tore off its driver's side mounting bracket, deciding to
shear off at the muffler cannister rather than nuking the two rubber mounts.

I guess the old adage, "When it rains, it pours" rings true here.

My question is, I just ordered all of the front end bits. Bearings, races,
pads, rotors, calipers, etc...which calipers are better, ATE or Girling? I
understand most Vanagons came with ATE as OEM equipment. Are they better or
worse than the Girling units? Help, before parts arrive. Thanks!