Sounds like seized calipers and you're only getting real braking from the
rears. Because of the greater excursion of the slave cylinders they'll break
free more easily, but fade quickly too.

Try popping off a caliper, backing off the bleed nipple and pushing the
piston in. That might wake them up until you can hone and re-build the
caliper pots.

On Jan 23, 2008 4:35 PM, Mark Drillock <drillock@earthlink.net> wrote:

> A few days ago I acquired an 82 Westy that had been mostly parked for a
> couple years. 1.9NA, 5 speed. The brakes mostly work ok driving around
> but if I put the tranny in neutral as I slow for a stop the brakes will
> be ok for the first push of the pedal but not if I let up and push again
> right away. The pedal stops moving at about the same place but the
> brakes don't slow the vehicle much.
>
> Same going down hill, if I push in the clutch the brakes work for one
> push but not after that.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> thanks,
> Mark
> 82 Westy 1.6 replaced with 1.9D-NA
>

--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
Crescent Beach, BC
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/