I know others have chimed in. the usual cause of this effect is the
combination of the shoes not adjusting properly and the wrong wheel
cylinders. The only cylinders I know of that have the piston push out spring
is the ATE. Even if you go to the dealer they will likely supply the
Brazilian sourced cylinders and they will not have the spring.  The pistons
sucking back will cause the low pedal and require a pump them out every time
until some age makes them get stiff enough to stay out on their own. Many
cars used residual pressure checks on the hydraulics to counter act this
effect. Also, since the cylinders and the adjusters are on the same side of
the shoes, the cylinder pistons have to stay out further as the shoes wear
and the adjusters push them out.

The next issue is the lining thickness. I have yet to find a shoe set that
replaces the OEM. The originals were a semi-metallic lining, riveted, and
6mm above the rivets. The thinner material of the replacement shoes means
the drum does not get filled and the arch does not match. This causes the
shoes to only wear and provide friction at the top. This seriously reduces
the braking effect. The lower shoes rests can be shimmed out. Go check the
archives for articles I have posted in the past.

While rare another cause of this problem can be the rear brake pressure
regulator. I have replaced a few.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Geneva Saint-Amour
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2014 11:52 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Brakes-

Hey there!
We recently replaced the rear brake pads and discovered a leaky cylinder.
So we took it to BrakeMasters for new cylinders (and new drums).  Just
picked it up and the brakes feel great and grippy..... but the first
pedal-push is smooshy and close to the floor.  The second pedal push seems
to "pump it up" and feel higher.  Ideas, suggestions?
1985 Vanagon/Westfalia/Hightop/Bostig