Seems like a sticking caliper would have been a real problem when
they put on the new, thicker rotors and pads.  They would have had to
push the piston back in and they usually don't go back in on a stuck
caliper in my experience.
Edward

At 05:40 PM 12/4/2009, Dennis Haynes wrote:
>First you need to determine if the pulse is from the front or rear. Try
>stopping with the handbrake. If the rears are causing a pulse it will be
>apparent.
>
>It is common for the rear drums to be damaged if they were pried off the
>hubs or the shoes. If pried the backing plates are probably also damaged. To
>make things worse the drum can also be messed up being put back on
>especially if an overzealous guy with the impact wrench relied on the wheel
>to get the drums seated again.
>
>Not all front brake pulsations are due to warped or bad rotors. Bad pad
>choices and sticking calipers can cause the new pads to seat unevenly and
>glaze the rotor surface which can cause pulsations. I can't believe that
>someone knowledgeable would replace pads and rotors without making darn sure
>the calipers were good. Since the rotors were cut below spec you know
>incompetent folks have been working on this van. At the point of rotors and
>pads Calipers and hoses should have been considered regardless. No brake job
>is really complete without the hydraulics.
>
>Pad and shoe choice is extremely critical on the Vanagon especially with the
>small size of the brake system. Metal masters up front and OEM (dealer)
>rears are the best option. Rear cylinders should be ATE if possible and also
>get the rear hardware kit form the dealer. Check the archives for my
>suggestions on shimming the lower shoe mounts.
>
>Dennis