Skip to main content
Gerry | Vanagon
Checking account...
← vanagon.com home · Continue the discussion in the forum
Subject:Re: Brake question
From:neil
Date:Sun, 1 Apr 2007 09:59:19 -0700

And may I add....

if rear brakes need adjusting, make sure you adjust them before
adjusting (if needed) your emergency brake cable.

Neil.

On 4/1/07, Evan Mac Donald <macdonald1987@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> Troy <colorworks@GCI.NET> wrote:    <snip>
>    The pedal is going about two thirds of the way to the floor before I get decent pressure and braking power. If I pump the pedal once, then I get good braking power and pedal. Is this normal for the Vanagon's? Should I rebleed the brakes?
>   <snip>
>
> Troy
> 89 Westy
>
>   Troy-
>
>   The most likely culprit for your low pedal is out-of-adjustment rear brakes. If the pedal is not spongy, then there is likely nothing wrong with the hydralic part of your brakes, so rebleeding will not help. It is more likely to be mechanical, and in the rear. They are supposed to be self-adjusting, but they usually aren't. Especially if they were left too far "closed" when trying to get the rear drums back on. Emergency brake misadjustment can also contribute to low pedal height. Inspect the rear brakes, and remember, you do not have to take that honking big axle nut off to get to the shoes! The drums come off seperately!
>

--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia.

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil