Assuming that you know the master cylinder is good, I'd check the brake
hose - they can develop internal blockage could cause the symptoms you
describe.
Second, you might want to check the caliper and make sure the piston
moves freely in the bore. If any corrosion has settled in here, it will
increase the resistance to the piston and cause the caliper to drag.
Lastly, make sure the two pins that the caliper housing glides on are
clean and lubricated with caliper grease.
Also, the Master cylinder could be going bad and not allowing the fluid
to return

Todd
'88 Westy

Brent Christensen wrote:

>Can anyone offer Joe some suggestions?   Please hit "Reply to all" if you
>have some ideas, that way Joe will be copied as well.
>
> Thanks
>
> Brent Christensen
>www.vanagon.com
>
>
>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: Joe Glista jglista@unicornmgt.com
>>To: info@vanagon.com
>>Sent: Monday, June 17, 2002 10:46 AM
>>Subject: Brake problems
>>
>>Sirs,
>>
>>I have an 1986 Vanagon Westfalia.  The problem I that have been having for
>>some time now is one of a hard brake pedal with poor braking effect,
>>combined with a locking effect on the front passenger side brake.  The
>>
>>
>brake
>
>
>>emits a strong odor and is very hot upon stopping.  This only occurs after
>>
>>
>I
>
>
>>drive for some distance and does not seem to involve the amount of time I
>>use the brakes (it can happen on the highway).
>>If I bleed the brakes it seems to be alleviated somewhat, but the problem
>>eventually returns.  I have a spare brake booster (servo) unit that I
>>
>>
>could
>
>
>>replace the original with, but I would like to know if there is a bench
>>
>>
>test
>
>
>>that can be performed to see if my replacement will actually work - I
>>
>>
>don't
>
>
>>know of its condition or application.  Is the servo unit the same for all
>>water cooled vanagons?
>>Could I have a combination of two problems - a poor servo and a bad
>>
>>
>caliper?
>
>
>>Is there a way to test them?
>>
>> Thank you,     Joe
>>
>>
>>Joseph  T.  Glista
>>Senior Project Geologist
>>Unicorn Managment Consultants LLC
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>