Thanks Jon.

The wheel-tire cost is something to consider for sure
and something I tend to forget about. How convenient.  ha ha.  ;)
At this point, a local vendor has what I think are new,
not remanufactured, newer style calipers. I installed a pair
on my '88 That bus has better braking than my '81
and what I'd consider to be "normal" by modern standards.

A *very* kind fellow Vanagon enthusiast set me up with known good
newer style steering knuckles, calipers, lower arms
etc. I'll install those along with the GW progressive springs
I just received. For the foreseeable future, I'll keep
the older brakes, in part because I want to see how much
better I can make them using well documented info
from this list. It's all been done before, but I'd like to learn
more and improve what's there.

To that end:

- try to find pads that have more "bite" (grab better at first application)
  Excessive dusting or accelerated rotor wear are not a concern for me.
- install the silencer shims I found at van-cafe.
  These may help the pads wear evenly. The last set wore at an angle
  possibly due to lack of these shims?
- install new shoes, shim out lower anchors as needed
- rebuild a spare set of Girling calipers
  with new pistons, seals.

A recently replaced failing master cylinder has certainly improved
the brakes.

Neil.

On 7/23/15, Jon VO <jondvo@gmail.com> wrote:
> Bigger brake kit means at least 15", most likely 16" wheels to clear the
> calipers on any of the high quality kits; Small Car, GoWesty, Van-Cafe, etc.
> Also, with the 16" steel wheels, you will also need to add 10-12mm spacers
> for clearance. These 10mm spacers will then require new longer lug bolts to
> allow proper engagement. Alternately you could opt for alloys, although they
> are 7" wide, a bit much for a 205R65-16 tire. However that is all that is
> available, at least easily found.
> The wheel/tire packages sold by the the same parts vendors will clear the
> brake kits just fine, but are pricey, $1K to $1.2K. I sue the Nokian van
> tire, 205R65-16 or 215R65-16, the latter size will not fit in my spare tire
> area up front, the 205 will, with some mods, and only on a steel wheel
> (narrower). The 16" alloys with either tire will require an external spare
> tire rack, due to the width & diameter, at least on my van.
> But you'll have nice brakes...
> Jon
>
>> On 5/17/2015 5:34 PM, Neil N wrote:
>
>>
>> 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?

--
Neil n

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