On Sun, Aug 10, 2008 at 6:57 PM, neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:

> Can you determine which wheel the smell is coming from?

Not sure - I'll try.

>
>
> Does your Westy "pull" (drift) either direction when you let go of the
> wheel?

I haven't noticed - I'll look.  I have driven some distance since I first
noticed the smell (1200 or so miles), and haven't noticed any pull, but I
will check.

>
>
> If it has sat idle for any length of time,

It has.  And I noticed the problem when I returned from being away.

> I'd suggest looking at the
> parking brake/rear shoes first. If parking brake was on for an
> extended period, a shoe(s) could be stuck rubbing against a drum(s)

Oh dear, now I have to figure our how I look at that!  Or maybe it's useful
info to take with me to the nice (and not too expensive!) vanagon repair
people here in Newfoundland.

>
>
> If not, other brake hardware (i.e. broken return spring) on a rear
> wheel may be malfunctioning allowing a shoe, or shoes, to stay against
> a drum.

Would that have an impact on the effectiveness of my brakes?

>
>
> Second thought is that one of the front calipers is sticking and
> keeping a pad against the rotor.

Presumably any of these should be something I can feel while driving, yes?
I shall pay close attention, thanks for the suggestions.

Joy