the pistons tend to get stuck ( siezed even ) in those early calipers...
in my experience especially the outer piston.

just invest in 2 rebuilt front calipers.

however...sounds like you have more than just a front brake caliper
problem.

On 7/5/2015 2:17 PM, Vincent Dow wrote:
> Howdy,
> Had the braking power seriously diminish on my 82 westy. What a bummer, we
> were headed to San Luis Obisbo county, to bring the dog up to a beach (and
> ourselves)
>
> Had to turn back to L.A. at Thousand Oaks.
>
> The brake pedal felt tall in the morning when we started out. 50 miles into
> the drive, I felt the pedal bottoming. A couple pumps with my foot would do
> the job, but I knew I was losing pressure.
>
> I got the wheel off, and am looking at the caliper. The flexible brake line
> is attached to a bracket, that's under huge nut for the main big suspension
> piece whose name alludes me. The one that's under spring tension.
>
> I'm thinking I have to open up the brake line and drain before I can even
> get the pads out. Haven't come across a caliper like this before. Don't
> like it.
>
> I'm wondering if I shouldn't rebuild calipers now. I'm seeing lots of pics
> of nasty old ones. Brakes are important. Does this ring true to experienced
> owners? Bit the bullet and rebuild the caliper? Or is that going overboard?
>