Thanks Don, I appreciate the note and advice.

(But I was never able to do respectable or clean! )

On Sat, Apr 21, 2018 at 11:49 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:

> I've found that  not drawing attention by keeping my van respectable
> looking, clean, and that dark brown factory color js best for going about
> my pursuit of happiness without intrusion from nosey people or police.  I
> also know I blend into the landscape so I can camp without getting unwanted
> neighbors, other travelers or campers who've seen me tucked into an arroyo
> or forest road because of a bright color paint job and said " Hey, look!
> There's a camper, it must be a good spot, let's go camp by him"   or some
> official who sees "Hippie Van!" and decides to run me off..
>    As for the brakes:. They are too small for the vehicle to be driven
> hard without regards.  If you're trying to keep up with the California
> drivers on a steep road, forget it!  You'll need bigger btakes, and even
> then, you will get fade.  A hint:. Drive the Vanagon more like a
> truck...They are trucks, actually..Vw Transporter?
>   When you get a long down grade, use a lower gear and brake firmly, then
> get your foot off, till your speed dictates another slow-up. Re-apply the
> brakes and slow below your average speed... This allows the brakes to cool
> down some.  If you try to keep a constant high downhill speed, like sedan
> and SUV vehicles, with constant foot on the brake, like people often drive
> their cars...The little brakes will get hot and fade...Even Big Brakes will
> do that, especially with an auto trans.
>
> On Apr 19, 2018 8:35 PM, "Vincent Dow" <ianvincentdow@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Thanks for these intel Stuart. I’ll definitely run down those cv boots.
> Having thre turn after just two years is an epic hassle.
>
> I’m going to try and mdje Montreal like I said. I was going to add grease
> every day in case it’s all getting tossed out by wheel-rotation.
>
> That said: my cv axles still sound good. The last set was making a terrific
> clunking as I drove off - going through the gears. When we opened them up,
> the grease was like bread dough. And they still pushed the van from Los
> Angeles to Montreal. (Across the Rockies etc)
>
> This now is my 9th LA - Montreal trip in *Modesto*
> Pretty impressive this little rig.
>
> Tonight I got pulled over in La Junta C0 for No lisccnce plate light. When
> I opened the glove box my last insurance proof was expired!!! Yikes. I was
> able to drum one up on my computer which happened to be in the van. That
> was really close to sorrow... too close.
>
> My van has a set of electric fans where the plate would normally be. And
> the plate is offset to the passenger side. The other side of the fans is
> the Subaru MPFI 16 valve plate from the air cleaner cover on the donor
> car... and my rear bumper is a redwood 2x6.
> In other words, it’s weird. It’s very cool and original, but it’s kind and
> f asking for trouble from cops.
>
> I gave to get a lic. plate light tomorrow!!!
>
> 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
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>