Jeff:

When I first read your question to the list eagerly waited for the
replies because I, too, have had the same problem.  Every time I've removed
the calipers I've had to disconnect the brake line, necessitating
bleeding the line on reassembly.  Kind of a PITA.

The "hang it up with wire" responses you've received contain the same
information I've always read in the manuals, and I've never been able to
figure out how to do it either.  Maybe the problem arises from the fact
that Volkswagen used 2 different calipers on the Vanagon, Girling and
Teves, and perhaps the "hang it with wire" trick works on one but not the
other?

I guess I'll continue disconnecting the brake line when I have to remove
the calipers and continue to call on the wife to help me bleed the brakes
when I get it put back together.  Maybe, on balance, this is a good thing
since I've never been one to completely drain the hydraulic fluid and
replace it periodically as the manuals suggest; at least this way the
fluid gets partially replaced each time I remove the calipers, even if
that wasn't my intention!  :-)

On Wed, 18 Nov 1998, Jeffrey R wrote:

> Hello all, again,
>
> My original question has been answered by with similar responses to this one:
>
> > suspend it (the caliper, with a coat hanger) so it doesn't hang by the
> rubber brake line.
>
> I appreciate the responses. And thanks for the responses.
>
> But I think my set up must be different than most. My caliper has a solid
> steele brake line coming off it. Not a rubber brake hose. I'm thinking either
> I'm losing my mind or my set up is slightly different than most other busses
> or cars for that matter.

> [snip]

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Tom Young               young@sherlock.SIMS.Berkeley.EDU
Lafayette, CA  94549    '81 Vanagon
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