Yahoooo!  I did it!  I took unplugged everything, and took out the old M/C and bolted in the new.  The most difficult part was getting the brake line on the right side threaded back in.  With that cross member there, it was very difficult to hold the pipe and thread in the bolt.  My brother helped me bleed the brakes, and now I can stop reliably!  I washed out the brake fluid container with rubbing alcohol, and swished it with new brake fluid to release all the gunk that had settled to the bottom of the tank.  Everything either plugged in or was bolted on.  It was much easier than I thought it would be.  I must say that I feel very empowered!  (Last week I changed out my friends Toyota starter)   I saved myself $167.00 by doing it myself!  I even changed out the burnt out light bulb behind the clock.  It has been out for most of the time that I have owned the Rastafalia.  If I had known how easy it was, I would have done it long ago.  

I must say a great big thanks to all those who helped me figure out what was wrong.  And thank you most of all to Joel B. Cort, who posted the instructions I found in the Vanagon Archive.  They were invaluable!   

Ready to roll again (and stop)

Julianna
90 VW Vanagon Westfalia
76  VW Automatic Bay Westfalia
74 VW Beetle

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