On Sat, Apr 14, 2018 at 12:43 PM <stuartmacm@gmail.com> wrote:

> Vinnie,
>
>
>
> You need black grease, the stuff for high pressure loads  You can find it
> at most parts stores, but it’s really not going to make much difference.
> Get new boots from Christopher at T3 Technique, he finds the best quality,
> and as you know, it varies.  Some boots are such poor quality that will
> tear in short order.
> http://t3technique.com/suspension-and-drivetrain/drivetrain-parts/cv-joints,-boots,-etc/
>
>
>
> If you are not getting pedal pulsing on braking your rotors aren’t warped.
>
>
>
> Stuart
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* Vincent Dow <ianvincentdow@gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Saturday, April 14, 2018 9:47 AM
> *To:* Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com>
> *Cc:* vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
> *Subject:* Re: Hot brakes!
>
>
>
> 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
>
>
>