There are other brands then the ATE with the spring. I just had a set from ken willford (vanagain) that were well priced and did have the spring, I have found them to work as well as the ATE and OEM ones. Let me see If I can figure out the brand.

-craig

> On Apr 25, 2014, at 7:46 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> 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