Daryl, I had a problem requiring me to pump to get a pedal, and it
required replacement of the brake master cylinder to get  the problem
 fixed. When I bled the brakes I got some help an I did the grunt work
down under the van to open the bleeder valves  while my helper pumped
the brakes.

What I did was to get a piece of clear plastic tube and stick one end
over the bleeder vlave and the other a clear soft drink bottle so I
could see wat came out. I tell you the fluid was a mess, I got all kinds
of dirt and water.

The key is to have someone with a syringe and bottle of brake fluid keep
the fluid tank full to the mark during  each bleeding operation. This
ensures no air introduced into the brake system. I bled one line at a
time. My helper made sure that the fluid level was full up during the
pumping of the brake pedal during each bleeding operation.  When I got a
steady stream of clear, clean brake fluid  with no bubbles, I would
close the bleeder valve. Then the tank was brought back up to full. Did
this on each wheel. Worked very well. You may need to go back and
re-bleed the lines.

BTW, the front brakes can be bled without getting underneath the van.

Good Luck,

John Rodgers
88 Gl Driver

Darrel wrote:

>I just put a new set of front and rear brakes on my 88. Adjuasted the adjusters out so that the rears just do turn . Now the problem I have to pump once to get a good pedal. I bleed the blead the brakes all the way around still have a very very soft pedal. Anyone have any ideas?
>Darrel Combs
>1988 Vanagon With '92 Cabriolet engine
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