Ok - mind you, I am no mechanic . . . having said that . . .

I know on the Jetta when my dingbat ex-husband drove it home with the
e-brake on from Seattle . . . in traffic . . . for 40-something miles . . .

We had to put in a new brake booster and some other brake parts. You could
put fluid in but after a few presses on the peddle, no more fluid. It would
just squirt out and make a heck of a mess all over the wheel. Replaced the
brake booster and something else, which I can't remember at the moment but
it was part of the brake assembly at the wheel - maybe the caliper? I don't
know. The pads were ok, though.

Anyway, maybe that's helpful. I hope. LOL ;-)

 *Annie Anderson* Blogger, Designer, Thinker & Mom
web: annieandersonblog.com email: lsandrsn@gmail.com
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*Blazin' a trail where there is no path.*

On Sun, Sep 26, 2010 at 2:36 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:

> The parking brake works on both rear wheels.
> There is no 4 wheel car built anywhere on the planet with parking brake on
> only one wheel.
>
> Obviously, a careful, drums off, rear brake inspection is in order.
> I wouldn't except the wheel cylinders to have suffered, unless from
> excessive heat. ..
> though 'maybe everything ...
> I have seen rear wheel bearings go out from driving with the parking brake
> on, in a bad case.
>
> just inspect carefully ...whether there's cracked brake shoes, or fried
> drums, or whatever.
>
> it would seem that if the brakes where fine, and now the pedal is soft..
> this incident is probably why.
> I can imagine that the drums are out of round ..
> warped, etc.
> Careful thorough inspection is the next step.
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jack R." <jack007@COMCAST.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Sunday, September 26, 2010 1:40 PM
> Subject: 90 Westy - Soft Brakes after driving with E-brake on for 30 miles
>
>
>  Our friends drove their 90 Westy, for about 30 miles with the emergency
>> brake engaged.
>>
>> Now, they indicate that their brakes are very soft, and don't feel right.
>>
>>
>>
>> I changed their Master Cly last year, and did the front pads... but now
>> need
>> a bit if guidance as
>>
>> to where to begin.
>>
>>
>>
>> I assume that the rear cylinder(s) may be shot, as well as the shoes and
>> maybe the drum(s).
>>
>>
>>
>> Does the emergency brake just engage the right rear or both wheels?
>>
>>
>>
>> Could driving the van with emergency brake engaged for that long have a
>> direct relationship to the soft peddle?
>>
>>
>>
>> Just looking for some advise on where to begin... and none of the "take
>> care
>> of the loose nut behind the wheel first"!
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>>
>>
>> Jack R.
>>
>> N. of Detroit
>>
>