Hello, Dubber Friends:

Okay, so here's the gig�

I had lots of left-front bearing noise of late, worsening over this last 1,000 miles or so � despite having new bearings put in 36,000 miles ago� though by a mechanic back home in Denver who proved more than a little shady later. BUT, we are full-timers and overloaded on weight a bit, so premature failure was somewhat expected anyway.

Regardless, early this week I had an independent VW mechanic install new inner and outer bearings on both fronts. When seeing his shop, faith took a dive but I gave the benefit of the doubt. When both bearings came loose in a one-mile test drive, faith lessened. < Yes, he reused the retainer nuts which I later learned is as spooky as it gets! > 

When the speedo suddenly didn't work, and brake pedal pressure was equally-suddenly inconsistent, he passed it all off as "coincidental" and my faith went to zero. I do not think he opened any bleeds or anything else to introduce air. He did not put anything between the front pads to keep them the proper distance apart. I believe I had new brake lines installed 36,000 miles ago. I had him bleed the fronts a little and re-adjust the retainer nuts (getting spookier!), and though the brakes were the same, at least the wheels didn't fly off on the drive to Miami! 

But as eluded to, the worst part is my perfectly-functioning brakes are all over the place in pressure: One heavy braking, all the way to the floor... Pump them once or twice, fine... Next time, same or somewhere in-between. Said mechanic claimed it all as total coincidence, or that the rear brakes needed adjustment. Huh�

EVERYTHING but the bearings were working perfectly until he opened his toolbox.

I limped it 80 miles to a friend's in Miami. We just bled the brakes as per the manual, RR first, LR second, RF third, LF last. Lots of air in there from a quite-baffling source. After bleeding the pedal was nice and stiff as a board. When I fired it up, the pedal goes a little softer but I think this is normal. First time on out road test the brakes went to the floor again.

PLEASE HELP, and Thanks!!!

   Eric
   Eric Wunrow Pictures
   303. 988. 8717

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