I'm definitely getting the brakes looked at when we get to montreal.
I usually do engine brake - maybe I wasn't as diligent about it on this
road. the CA-23 is really steep and windy on the southern side towards
Malibu. I think it's one of the longest, steepest roads I've ever taken in
the van.

I made it down the eastern slope of the rockies yesterday (at Wolf Creek
Pass) I was very diligent about engine braking. I thought more and more
about the venation brake pads, and how darn small they are! Not a lot of
surface there considering the weight of the rig.

Bigger issue now is my THREE torn C.V. boots... ugh. I just discovered them
the day before yesterday. There's not much i can do out here in colorado.
We would have to go up to Denver or Boulder and take the van into a shop
there. There is one guy who has CV boots. I'm bummed that they are torn -
they were only two years old.

I made the decision to continue driving towards Montreal, and deal with the
boots there. I can see there is still grease on the C.V. joints - and I
bought a grease gun and some green-stuff so i can keep squirting it in
there - it sucks, but better than driving them dry. They still sound okay.

Tough trip this one is. The weather has been awful. Non-stop howling wind,
hundreds of attacking tumbleweed!!! What  difference time of year makes for
these journeys.
(from the Red Lion Inn, La Junta Colorado)
Best,
Vinnie

On Sat, Apr 14, 2018 at 10:41 AM, <stuartmacm@gmail.com> wrote:

> Yes, it can happen on steep grades. Next time downshift and use some
> engine braking, and maybe pull over for a few minutes if it's a long grade.
> You'll know if your rotors warped from the pedal pulsing when you brake.
> Probably didn't warp.
>
> Stuart
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of
> Vincent Dow
> Sent: Monday, April 9, 2018 9:14 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Hot brakes!
>
> Howdy y’all,
> I was coming down a steep, windy road in Malibu last night, and st the
> bottom I felt that my brakes had lost done if their grabbing power.
> At the stop sign at the bottom  oF the hill I got out to have a look and
> my brakes were smoking + very strong smell. Like a truck cooking it’s
> brakes.
>
> My pads look good, lots of material left .
> Anyone ever experience this before in a vanagon?
> Do you think I’ve done any damage?
> Or is it normal for mountain highway downhill?
> Best ,
> Vinnie
>
>