Good Afternoon Bob et al,

When you were driving with the parking brake engaged, you
heated the rear brakes and boiled the fluid.  Now it has air
bubbles in it, that's why the soft pedal.  To resolve, you
need to bleed the brakes.  If you'd had them sufficiently
engaged to wear out the shoes, you would have noticed
significant drag.  The Vanagon simply does not have enough
power to overcome the parking brake if it's fully applied.

Typically, when something like this happens, it's because
the brake fluid should have been changed awhile back.  Brake
fluid is hydroscopic - the moisture which has been absorbed
boils at a much lower temperature than the brake fluid,
creating the air bubbles which are making your pedal soft.
Since you're going to be in there anyway, I'd strongly
recommend replacing all of the brake fluid.  You should be
changing the brake fluid every couple of years as part of
your regular maintenance routine.

*Best Regards,
Jon

*

On 21 Mar , 2012, at 10:18 AM, Robert Stewart wrote:

> Hello Everyone,
>
> I replaced my front brake pads several months ago and the pressure has been great since. The other day someone other than myself pulled my emergency brake lever. I did not know and wound up driving with it on for 20 minutes on the highway. I started to smell something and I immediately released it. After doing so I realized my brake pressure on the pedal sank a bit.
>
> What happened and how do I resolve this?
>
> I have not checked my brake fluid level since this happened. I will check it but what can I do to resolve this?
>
> Thanks,
> Robert
> Bloomingburg NY
> --
> Rob
> Bloomingburg, New York
> 88 Wolfsburg, Silver
> 257,777 miles - automatic, engine rebuilt with 7K on it, all new fuel and coolant lines in engine bay. New front brake pads.

*

*
On 3/21/2012 11:41 AM, Automatic digest processor wrote:
> Made In The USA