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Jake de Villiers Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007 Posts: 5911 Location: Tsawwassen, BC
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Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 11:30 pm Post subject: |
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camerahunter wrote: |
So, I am reading up on bleeding my brakes because I have the pump once and it' soft, twice and it's good.
By soft it means low to stop, acting like it's not really grabbing much, 2nd pump and they are normal and stop normally.
This is in my white 1985.
I have bled them too many times to count.
Engine of, furthest first, clear tube into ajar of fluid, someone pumping and holding while I operate the bleeder screw.
My question about building or using the pressurized deal posted here is why would it work?
Put the cap on, pressurize the system, remove the cap to put on the real cap and doesn't all the pressure escape?
Thank you,
David |
How does the brake pedal feel with the handbrake on? The same or different? _________________ '84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com |
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randywebb Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2005 Posts: 3815 Location: Greater Metropolitan Nimrod, Orygun
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Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 11:58 pm Post subject: |
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close the bleed screw then do the 2nd furthest line, etc. after the closest line to m/c then swap caps _________________ 1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans. |
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camerahunter Samba Member
Joined: July 23, 2009 Posts: 567 Location: Tacoma
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Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 11:59 pm Post subject: |
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Exactly the same.
Thank you,
David _________________ 1984 - Daily driver |
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Jake de Villiers Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2007 Posts: 5911 Location: Tsawwassen, BC
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Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 11:43 am Post subject: |
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camerahunter wrote: |
Exactly the same.
Thank you,
David |
Good - so you have rear brakes!
What results do you get when you bleed - do you get bubbles or froth, does the pedal feel change? _________________ '84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com |
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wbx Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2005 Posts: 1254 Location: Monterey, CA
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Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 1:21 pm Post subject: |
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camerahunter wrote: |
My question about building or using the pressurized deal posted here is why would it work?
Put the cap on, pressurize the system, remove the cap to put on the real cap and doesn't all the pressure escape? |
So, i've never used a pressure system - only used the pedal pump method and a vacuum pump method.
However, the principle is pretty straight forward. Pressurize the system with the pump, go back to your brake, bleed normally until clean fluid comes out. The pressure system is like a continuous pedal press that never bottoms out... it just keeps squeezing that brake fluid out.
After you are done, you no longer need the pressure.
You don't put the original cap back on until after you've bled all the brakes.
-Damon _________________ '84 Westy (first owner).......but my daily driver has pedals
My "perspective" mantra:
A Volkswagen Vanagon is just a material thing,
As such, it is of the earth,
And if i need to, I can let my Van go. |
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HENDO Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2012 Posts: 202 Location: Spring Branch, TX
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Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 10:47 am Post subject: |
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camerahunter wrote: |
So, I am reading up on bleeding my brakes because I have the pump once and it' soft, twice and it's good.
By soft it means low to stop, acting like it's not really grabbing much, 2nd pump and they are normal and stop normally.
This is in my white 1985.
I have bled them too many times to count. |
UGH! I am having this same problem!
I have a power bleeder. I changed out the master brakes and clutch(also slave). I have bled these things 4 times now, completely flushing the lines with all new fluid, but they are still mushy as described above, but are firm after a pump of the brakes.
My booster appears to be working fine after performing the test described in the bentley.
Any ideas? _________________ 84 Westy AKA "Sludge" |
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buildyourown Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2009 Posts: 1668 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 10:52 am Post subject: |
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Try it the old fashioned way with a helper. I've met mechanics that swear you can't get a good bleed on a VW w/o a power bleeder. However, I've had the best luck doing it the 2 person slow way. I bought a vacuum bleeder and after fighting it, went back to the 2-person.
My problem is leaky bleeders. You can be flushing fluid but still ingesting air into the system. |
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HENDO Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2012 Posts: 202 Location: Spring Branch, TX
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Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 10:53 am Post subject: |
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buildyourown wrote: |
Try it the old fashioned way with a helper. I've met mechanics that swear you can't get a good bleed on a VW w/o a power bleeder. However, I've had the best luck doing it the 2 person slow way. I bought a vacuum bleeder and after fighting it, went back to the 2-person.
My problem is leaky bleeders. You can be flushing fluid but still ingesting air into the system. |
OK, I will try that this evening. _________________ 84 Westy AKA "Sludge" |
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MarkWard Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 17112 Location: Retired South Florida
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Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 10:58 am Post subject: |
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On a Vanagon, the firm pedal comes from properly adjusted rear brakes. The fact that the pedal comes up after a couple of depressions indicates to me that the rear shoes are not in close contact to the drums. A sinking pedal would indicate air in the system or a failing cylinder. You don't seem to have either. _________________ ☮️ |
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HENDO Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2012 Posts: 202 Location: Spring Branch, TX
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Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 11:01 am Post subject: |
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rsxsr wrote: |
On a Vanagon, the firm pedal comes from properly adjusted rear brakes. The fact that the pedal comes up after a couple of depressions indicates to me that the rear shoes are not in close contact to the drums. A sinking pedal would indicate air in the system or a failing cylinder. You don't seem to have either. |
OK, I haven't even looked at the rear shoes. I'll pull the wheels off this evening. That's probably what it is. _________________ 84 Westy AKA "Sludge" |
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dhaavers Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010 Posts: 7754 Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 12:50 pm Post subject: |
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No need to pull the wheels - leave 'em on & adjust through the backing plate:
(photo for clarity/credit to ragnarhairybreeks)
You can do this with any normal length, regular old straight screwdriver.
There are 2 rubber plugs on the backing plate: remove center most rubber plug & work through that hole.
The adjusting plug is below and just forward of the star adjuster.
(The other plug near the edge of the backing plate is used to check amount of brake shoe lining.)
Photo is of the driver's side: imagine the mirror image for the passenger side.
Here goes:
1) Hold screwdriver & blade flat, parallel to the ground.
2) Insert blade through brake backing plate at about 45 degree angle toward the rear of the van (screwdriver handle points towards opposite front wheel)
3) First thing the blade will touch is the star adjuster wheel!
4) Lever the blade "down" (handle "up") to tighten the adjuster.
NOTE: this applies to either side, as the adjuster bolt has opposite thread on opposite sides.
5) There may be some resistance as you rotate the star wheel against the ratchet of the brake shoe adjuster lever, but when you hear "clicks" you'll know you're on the right track.
You'll need to repeat this about 5-6 times (10-12 clicks) to rotate the star wheel one full revolution. Go until the shoes start to drag on the drum; then back off a couple clicks. Try it on the road & repeat/fine tune as necessary.
Hang in there - you'll get it done. Good luck! _________________ 86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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HENDO Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2012 Posts: 202 Location: Spring Branch, TX
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Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 1:06 pm Post subject: |
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I'll give that a try in a few hours...thanks! _________________ 84 Westy AKA "Sludge" |
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HENDO Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2012 Posts: 202 Location: Spring Branch, TX
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Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 9:36 pm Post subject: |
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SUCCESS!!
Adjusting the rear skater did the trick!!
Much thanks! _________________ 84 Westy AKA "Sludge" |
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dhaavers Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010 Posts: 7754 Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 9:56 pm Post subject: |
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All in a days work...See you on the road!! _________________ 86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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HENDO Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2012 Posts: 202 Location: Spring Branch, TX
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Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2012 10:00 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks man! I already told my girl we were cruising sludge down river road Saturday and having beers at bubbas big deck in celebration!! _________________ 84 Westy AKA "Sludge" |
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MarkWard Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 17112 Location: Retired South Florida
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Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2012 8:49 am Post subject: |
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A result. Congrats. _________________ ☮️ |
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