

| Subject: | Re: Mechanical/Brakes/1984 Westy |
| From: | Eric Wunrow |
| Date: | Sat, 19 Nov 2016 15:42:41 -0500 |
Thank You, Neil: Yes, there was air coming from all four bleeders when bleeding. The problem started the instant the bearings were replaced, so must be related to that process somehow. The only thing I can figure is when removing the caliper a brake line end could have been compromised� but yet, we are losing no fluid at all. Thanks, Eric Eric Wunrow Pictures 303. 988. 8717 VW@EricWunrow.com (for this list's emails) EW@EricWunrow.com (for private messages) On Nov 19, 2016, at 3:31 PM, Neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote: > What colour was the brake fluid that was bled out? Master cylinder > finally failed due to old fluid ?? Did you see bubbles at each > bleeder? On my bus, one caliper bleeder screw will allow air in > between threads; it appears as if there's a bunch of air in system > when there is not. > > long shot: > > someone pushed the brake pedal while callipers were off knuckle during > bearing job? Brake pedal traveled further than normal and internal > seal(s) was damaged? > > I"m not trying to blame the mechanic here but in my limited > experience, with the callipers removed from steering knuckles, the > pistons shouldn't move. i.e. doing just bearings, when reinstalling > the caliper, the pads should slip right over the rotor. > > Neil. > > > > > > On 11/19/16, Eric Wunrow <VW@ericwunrow.com> wrote: > > >> 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 >> >> VW@EricWunrow.com (for this list's emails) >> EW@EricWunrow.com (for private messages) >> > > > -- > 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> >
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