After 6 years it is time for an inspection anyway. Yes the rears are
self-adjusting if everything is the way it should be but a sudden wear event
will require some cycles for the adjusters to take up the slack. Adjustment
will not compensate for brake fluid vapor lock.

Regardless of miles, brakes really need to be inspected on some regular
bases. Time ruins the cylinder seals and brake fluid, the springs and
adjusters get rusty, and most important for drum brakes the material that
wears off the shoes along with other road dirt and debris tends to stay
inside the drums to get churned in the works and just chew things up. Since
you are in new York you have to have an annual inspection. At a minimum at
this time pull the drums, clean things out, have a good look at the shoes
and cylinders, check the bearing seals for any signs of grease leaking out
onto the brakes, check the hand brake cable condition, etc. Do the same for
the front. Imagine if you were to get into an accident where you were hit
because of a brake failure and you found out they haven't had the brakes
checked in 6 years?

Just pull the drums and see what's happening. If the cylinders appear cooked
(it will be obvious) you know what you need to do. Also, be happy that
nothing more serious happened.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Robert Stewart
Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 1:32 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Soft Brake Pedal Pressure after driving with Emergency brake
on.

I thought the rears were self adjusting?

So I have not replaced my rear drums in like 6 years, I guess this is a good
time to flush the fluid, replace the rear drums and front pads again?

I replaced the cylinders with new ones 6 years ago.

I am just wondering how best to proceed.

If there are good resources on the samba or youtube I would appreciate any
links.

Thanks,
Robert

On Mar 21, 2012, at 1:18 PM, Daryl Christensen wrote:

> Readjust the rear brakes and it should typically be fine.
> My brother just did that on my Doka en route from Montana, and the
> pedal dropped about 1 1/2" or so. I did Dennis Haynes addition of a
> washer under the lower pivots, repl the seeping cylinders, readjusted
> and It is back to being  spiffy.
>
> Daryl of AA Transaxle
> 425-788-4070
> "On the cutting edge of Old technology"
> 86 Syncro Westy w/Turbo Zetec in the trunk
> 90 Doka Tristar w/2.5 Subie
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of Robert Stewart
> Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 9:19 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Soft Brake Pedal Pressure after driving with Emergency brake on.
>
> 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.