Thanks Mark & Bob,

When I bought the van I had 75% good brake shoes on the rear. But I will
check them again. Last time I had my brakes bled the mechanic at Herman Cook
VW (Fred) said I might have an intermittent rear brake cylinder problem and
to keep an eye on it. This might be the problem. Next brake job I think I
will put on new rear brake cylinders.  Until then, doing the
back-up-brake-auto-adjust a few times seemed to help a little.

The pedal does feel a little mushy but does not go down as low as when the
problem emerged on my trip to the Carcoa auto paint place on State Street in
Carlsbad. Then it went all the way to the floor. Now it reacts normally but
I now notice that I unconsciously pump the brake most times.

How simple is it to inspect the rear brakes myself?

William

> Don't be too hasty with the cable adjustment. The primary adjustment is
> at the brake shoes. Tightening the cable when the real problem is worn
> shoes will increase the fluid volume needed by the rear brake. The pedal
> may feel mushy.
>
> Mark
>
> developtrust wrote:
> >
> > Thanks for the info. Sounds like just what I needed to know. I'll be
> > adjusting the emergency cable tomorrow. I think I may have driven with
my
> > emergency brake only half released.