It is easy to get mixed up, that is why I get the Bentley out every time I
do it just to be sure that I am putting it together right.  I hate doing
stuff over.

Ken

On Mon, May 18, 2015 at 11:51 AM, <jondvo@gmail.com> wrote:

> Excellent advice, i did my rear brakes and initially had problems because
> one of the parts were installed backwards - the rears make a big difference
> in pedal feel.
> Jon
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On May 18, 2015, at 9:08 AM, kenneth wilford (Van-Again) <
> kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET> wrote:
> >
> > Neil, I have done many, many full brake system refurbishments over the
> > years.  One of the first ones I did was on an early Vanagon like yours.
> > Everything was brand new, yet I could tell that the pedal feel was low
> and
> > soft.  Someone on the list recommended adjusting the rear drums properly.
> > That is where all of the problems were.  I have seen the rear brakes put
> > together incorrectly so many times, that will do it as well.  I would
> pull
> > the rear drums, use the diagram from the Bentley to be sure that the
> > adjusters and springs are all installed correctly.  Then you want to
> adjust
> > the drums until the rear shoes are just kissing the drum (you will hear a
> > little rubbing when you turn the drum but not dragging and the wheel can
> > still turn easily).  Do this and see if this helps your situation.  It
> > should bring your brakes up to par without spending any more money
> (unless
> > you find something missing or broken).  If this helps you out and you
> want
> > to donate to us, we have a paypal link on our site.  I know you don't buy
> > parts from us so I thought I would mention the donation button.
> >
> > Let us know how you make out.
> >
> > Ken Wilford
> > John 3:16
> > www.vanagain.com
> >
> >> On Sun, May 17, 2015 at 7:34 PM, Neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> Hi all.
> >>
> >> The back ground info is below, but here's the bottom line; I need to
> >> improve the braking on my '81 Westy. I suspect the rebuilt calipers I
> >> installed
> >> several years ago, never worked 100% correctly due to poor quality
> >> assembly or
> >> parts. i.e. one leaked right away. Image: http://tinyurl.com/lqsx4gf
> >>
> >> My choices:
> >>
> >> - upgrade steering knuckles, install a "Bigger Brake Kit"
> >> - upgrade steering knuckles, install new '86 + calipers etc.
> >> - rebuild a spare set of Girling calipers.
> >>
> >> Is rebuilding the old style calipers a waste of time? Most of those
> >> cores are pretty old now,
> >> have likely been rebuilt at least a few times, and I've heard that
> >> some rebuild kits may not be of good quality. However. I have what may
> >> be a decent set of calipers I could clean up and rebuild.
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >>
> >> Neil.
> >>
> >> Since I'd been driving my '88 Westy the last while, I've since
> >> discovered that the brakes in my '81 Westy pale terribly in
> >> comparison. I had a Vanagon mechanic road test the '81 brakes. His
> >> first comment about them was something akin to 'they're crappy'.
> >> He also suggested it could be a caliper issue; I'd installed rebuilt
> >> calipers
> >> several years ago (along with doing a bunch of other brake work)
> >> The brake system is in otherwise good condition but the brakes just
> >> don't "bite" as well as my '88 brakes, there is considerable fade,
> >> pedal doesn't feel as hard as that on my '88.
> >> Rear shoe were is normal and even. I'm certain no air is in the
> >> hydraulic system.
> >> The mechanic said he'd run into a problem like this before. He removed
> the
> >> pads,
> >> and carefully pushed the brake pedal down to move the pistons further
> out
> >> in an
> >> effort to (reseat?) the piston O ring. He said this improved the
> >> brakes and that the
> >> issue had to do with either the piston position or the O ring itself
> >> (not flexing enough?)
> >>
> >> --
> >> Neil n
> >>
> >> Blog: Vanagons, Westfalia, general <http://tubaneil.blogspot.ca>
> >>
> >> 1988 Westy Images <https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/New1988Westy>
> >>
> >> 1981 Westfalia "Jaco" Images, technical <
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/>
> >>
> >> Vanagon-Bus VAG Gas Engine Swap Group <http://tinyurl.com/khalbay>
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Thanks,
> > Ken Wilford
> > John 3:16
> > www.vanagain.com
>

--
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com