Neil,
My experience with wheel cylinders is they last about 5 to maybe 7 or 8
years, regardless of mileage. (Unless vehicle is inop, in which case they
fail much sooner).
Sure, heavy stop-n-go traffic will wear them out faster, but the real
problem is moisture in the brake fluid settling on the bottom of the
cylinder and eating away at the metal.
Every wheel cylinder failure I have seen was due to this effect.
My recent repair work includes Fords, Buicks, VW's and a Dodge Neon, and all
the cylinders failed that way.

Even if you change the fluid, some old fluid still remains in the cylinders
unless you physically strip them down.
Sure, the new fluid will mix with the old residual and help absorb some
moisture, but the damage is usually already done.

Having said all this, I think less than 3 years on a new set of cylinders is
a bit short.  Maybe check with your vendor for an explanation.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
neil N
Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2009 6:33 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: *Sigh* Leaky Wheel Cylinder (PICS)

Hi all.

Haven't checked other side yet, but both sides done at same time.
Parts less than 3 years old. Low miles. Fluid has been flushed at
least once in that time.

Stupid question, but am I correct to assume there should be absolutely
NO fluid under rubber caps?

IMO, there's no way they should be leaking yet.

Brake wheel cylinders should be good for more than 20-30K miles right?

Leak (only a little dripped out.... wiped stain up a little):

http://tinyurl.com/l9wn6x

Brand

http://tinyurl.com/n96jzg

Looks like "Varga IND BRAS. Likely Brazillian.

If anyone knows which brand will *likely* be better, please advise.
Especially any Vancouverites.

If the Varga brand has been problematic, (or NOS of Varga?) please
advise. I will, in turn, let my parts guy know.

Not a happy camper. In spite of a recent post of mine, it seems like
one thing after another.

Ready to send it to the shop, (long line to rear needs to be replaced
too) so knowing a good brand will help.

Thanks.

Neil.

--
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"

http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engine
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