In a message dated 11/28/01 10:09:14 AM, puzerewski@MSN.COM writes:

<< The pedal travels down to the same spot every
time.  >>

Adam,

First things first.  Shut off the van.  Purge the air from the vacuum assist.
 Now try the brakes sitting there with the engine off.  Does the pedal firm
up and the pedal travel stop after a short stroke?  No?  Then here are the
possibilities:

1/ There is air in the system.  Bleed brakes properly.

2/ The rear brakes are not adjusted correctly.  Adjust rear brakes correctly.

3/ There is an external leak in the system.  Easily enough detected even if
you do not want to check the plumbing as the level in the brake fluid
reservoir will be dropping at an unseemly rate.

4/ There is an internal leak in the master cylinder.  Since there is no fluid
loss with this type of leak, it is tougher to find and is usually deduced by
a process of elimination.  I think if you install an unvented brake fluid
reservoir cap with a pressure gauge in it, a pressure will be registered when
the pedal is depressed if there is an internal leak.  I am not talking about
that little burp which occurs as the cup crosses the fluid make-up port.

5/ The brake push rod was not adjusted properly or the jam nut on the push
rod clevis has become loosened with the same results.

6/  Or it could be an example of the last refuge to which a mechanic will
resort should all else fail . . . "they all do that".

Rich