Be advised that all that newer stuff is very likely for a power steering
vanagon. The steering arms are a good bit shorter and require more effort
to turn. They may not be from a PS car, but you should check it out.

Jim

On Thu, Jul 23, 2015 at 10:53 AM Neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:

> 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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>
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>
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>
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>