TheSamba.com :: View topic - How do I stop these type 3 brakes from dragging?

Thu Aug 14, 2008 6:17 pm

I have replaced all my brakes on my 71 squareback...
New calipers in front and new drums and shoes on back with all new lines, steel and rubber... the brakes work great in the yard when they are cold... and start to grab about 2 inches down of pedal... after about two to three miles they start to drag, and as they heat up the pedal gets closer to the top of the stroke and actually start binding up all the brakes front and back, the brake lights actually come on from the build up of pressure... after they cool off over night they seem adjusted OK... I tighten the adjusters till they just start to drag and back them off 3-4 clicks.. have even tried 6-8 clicks... I even tried backing them all the way in but the wheel cylinder over stroked and cocked and didn't retract at all...they do not seem to be totally retracting and the dragging heats things up and they drag more as they heat up... You guys know everything about these brakes... what am I doing wrong? I checked the archives and haven't seem this problem... sounds like the lines are old but I replaced them all...HELP

Thu Aug 14, 2008 6:41 pm

The "general opinion" here is that it's better to just rebuild your OG German parts than buying new Brazilian/Chinese parts! Yours should get better with some more good hard use? Drive it hard and hope they get worn in and settle down. If they don't you can always put the OG parts back on! :shock:

Thu Aug 14, 2008 7:59 pm

Check the free play on the rod from the pedal to the master cylinder. If there is no free play, all the fluid cannot return to the reservior.
There should be about 1/16"-1/8" between the pushrod and the master cylinder when the pedal is all the way back.
There is a stop plate on the floor to adjust it. Do not adjust the rod. unless it has already been tampered with.

Fri Aug 15, 2008 1:39 am

besides the rod adjustment the only time I've seen your symptoms has been when someone used oil in the brake system instead of brake fluid. the lines swelled and when heated would keep the brakes on. should not be your problem though...

Fri Aug 15, 2008 1:59 am

Quote: Check the free play on the rod from the pedal to the master cylinder. If there is no free play, all the fluid cannot return to the reservior.

This is indeed the solution !

Had the same problem after a rebuild !

BerT3

Sat Aug 16, 2008 2:28 pm

Thank you---Thank you---Thank you---
My brakes are working perfectly, not binding up, can even touch the back drums with out asbestos gloves...they are a bit low, I got carried away with the clearance adjustment, will re-adjust to the 1/8 clearance now...

Thanks