If we install ABS, could we keep the same setup as is?
And what would it take to install ABS system?  I often see ABS blocks in a
wrecking yard and its cheap.  Would anyone know this?  Or is it subject that
has been beaten to death already?
Zoltan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Hanson" <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2007 5:19 PM
Subject: Some brake tech/ideas (long)

>  Brakes are fairly straight forward..no pun intended.
>
>  The brakes on my 84 are in perfect shape, and they aren't very good
> brakes.  I know good brakes from my Porsche racing days.
>
>  I've had just one close call in my Van because of inadequate brakes, but
> I
> live in a rural area and drive "pretty far up the road" from my own
> vehicle,
> so I don't encounter many situations where inadequate brakes are going to
> kill me...but I will soon be changing to some better front ones, at least.
>
>  Here's the deal..Your brakes should be capable of locking up the wheels
> under hard braking.  Mine do not do that.  You can test your own brakes by
> finding a large deserted paved area and applying them hard, while going
> straight, to see if you can lock your front wheels..It should not hurt
> anything, but make sure your interior is free of loose objects..
>  .If you have ABS (dunno if Vans came so equipped) you should feel a
> buzzy,
> pulsey vibrating, telling you that your wheels are starting to slide...and
> the ABS IS working.
>   Over 80% of your braking force is supplied by the front brakes.  So if
> and when you find that yours are not capable of locking the front wheels
> at
> full application, that's where you should make changes.  Once your brakes
> are capable of making your wheels lock up, then you look towards your
> tires
> for better braking..
>   I have not yet looked to see which brakes might bolt right over to a
> vanagon, but in order to diminish the stopping distance for any vehicle, a
> few principles apply.  The first is traction.  If the traction you have
> can
> overcome the amount of braking force your brakes apply  (as is the case in
> my 84 van) you need to get more braking force.  That's done by increasing
> the friction on the brake rotor or increasing the rotor's diameter or a
> combo of both.
>  If you increase the friction on the rotor, you will create more
> heat..That
> will become a concern if you use max braking for a long period of time,
> but
> not so much if you just are forced to panic stop.  I would think there
> should be a better caliper for the front of the Vanagon, one capable of
> squeezing harder..that is one place to look.  Increasing the diameter of
> the
> brake rotors also should be do-able.  Or both.  Those little front brakes
> look more appropriate for something like a Rabbit than a heavy van..
>  Has anyone ever locked the front wheels of their van during an emergency
> stop in their van?  On dry pavement, of course..
>  Don Hanson
>
>
> --
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.6/902 - Release Date: 7/15/2007
> 2:21 PM
>
>