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Vanagon brakes pulsing
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JDEL
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 7:26 am    Post subject: Vanagon brakes pulsing Reply with quote

I re-did my brakes on my new (to me) multivan. I put new front rotors, new brake pads, and new bearings on the front. On the rear I put new drums, new shoes and new brake wheel cylinders. After about 100 miles the brake pedal started to pulse when it was applied. So... I replaced the new rear drums (brembo) thinking they were warped. After 100 miles or so the pedal started to pulse again. Then I replaced the rear drums and the rear shoes. After about a 100 miles, the brake pedal would pulse when the brakes were applied. It is a pulse not a shake or griding at the brake pedal. Any ideas?
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insyncro
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 7:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Have them turned and trued.
Yes, have NEW parts turned.
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Syncro Jael
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 7:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pulsing is a sure sign that something is OUT OF ROUND / WARPED.
I had my front rotors turned and it immediately had the pulsing.

It is strange yours begins after 100 miles? I would think it would be immediately. After mine did it, new rotors fixed my issue. Check your new rotors, maybe have them turned?
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joetiger Premium Member
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 7:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Have you checked your rotors for play? After the initial installation, they can loosen up after a few miles and create pulsing. If there's too much play, you need to get in there and make sure the nut is snug.

Also, make sure your lugs are not over-torqued, that can also warp rotors and drums.
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insyncro
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 7:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Over torqueing will warp them for sure.
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insyncro
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 7:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pull the rear drums and inspect the pads very carefully to see if any material has come off and is now on the drum surface.
It usually happens after driving in wet conditions when the brakes are hot and the the ebrake is applied and allowed to sit.
When the brake is removed and you start to move sometimes you will hear a slight pop, sometimes not.

Worth a look.
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Jeff's Old Volks Home
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 7:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Make sure the drums are fitting over the machined lip on the hubs. I also don't sell anything but Zimmerman or Brembo drums now. The Febi's or box store one will shake for sure.
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insyncro
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 8:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Zs and Bs are the good'uns Wink
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JDEL
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 9:12 pm    Post subject: brakes Reply with quote

I guess my question now would be why did the pulsing go away after I put the new drums on for about 100 miles if the front rotors were warped?
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Terry Kay
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 12, 2014 9:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The pedal pulsates after you've been using the brakes for about 100 miles?

The answer is simple.
You don't have the rear brakes adjusted tight enough and the front rotors are doing all of the work--
Your getting the front brakes hot, and your heat warping the rotors.

When it cools down--no warp.

Go get the front rotors turned, the rear drums turned, adjust the rear brakes properly, and the brake pedal mambo will be nothing but a memory.
Forget about it.
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BHChieftain
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 14, 2014 12:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

insyncro wrote:
Over torqueing will warp them for sure.


I just purchased a 1990 Westy, new motor, trans, brakes, etc. Brakes were pulsing, read this thread and re-torqued the wheels, problem solved! (right before I purchased it I had the seller get the wheels spinbalanced, seems the tire place wasn't so careful putting the wheels back on.)

I'm not exactly sure what torque to use. The wheels are the gowesty, not sure which size (I measured the outside allow lip to lip, which is 17.25"), and I'm not sure if the lugs are stock or not. I used 90 ft lbs... let me know if you think I should make them tighter.

Chief
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coclimber
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 22, 2014 3:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

BHChieftain wrote:
insyncro wrote:
Over torqueing will warp them for sure.


I just purchased a 1990 Westy, new motor, trans, brakes, etc. Brakes were pulsing, read this thread and re-torqued the wheels, problem solved! (right before I purchased it I had the seller get the wheels spinbalanced, seems the tire place wasn't so careful putting the wheels back on.)

I'm not exactly sure what torque to use. The wheels are the gowesty, not sure which size (I measured the outside allow lip to lip, which is 17.25"), and I'm not sure if the lugs are stock or not. I used 90 ft lbs... let me know if you think I should make them tighter.

Chief


I just had GW BIGGER-BRAKES installed on my van last week and now my brakes pulse too. That said, I contacted GW about torque specs since I also have their alloy wheels... so regarding your question on GW wheels, Mike W. told me 95 ft/lbs, NO more or their alloy wheels will be damaged. So, 90 is probably fine...

Mine are torqued to 95 and the pulsing is still there. Mad Oh well!
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vanaru
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 1:16 pm    Post subject: bearings Reply with quote

Check your front wheel bearings... too loose will also cause a pedal pulse under braking...
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coclimber
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 2:11 pm    Post subject: Re: bearings Reply with quote

vanaru wrote:
Check your front wheel bearings... too loose will also cause a pedal pulse under braking...


Thanks for the heads up on that!

I have a 2WD, so the GW 2WD-HUB-KIT was installed including all new front wheel bearings, etc., etc... at least I know the parts are new. That said, Blazer Automotive, the installer, is one of the best Vanagon shops in Colorado, so I'm guessing a simple thing like loose wheel bearings is not the issue. But, alas, we will leave no stone unturned!
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Jake de Villiers
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PostPosted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 4:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've found that if I don't tighten the rear wheels while they're still in the air, the drum can be pushed up a tiny bit and give the pedal sensation you describe.

Years ago I figured out that if I torqued the wheel nuts in the air, the pedal pulse doesn't rear its ugly head.

YMMV, etc.
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coclimber
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 25, 2014 10:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Blazer Automotive found the issue and fixed it. It had to do with the rear drums they installed. Again, I had all brand new parts on both front and rear. You never know what quality you'll get with products these days! Glad it had nothing to do with the GW BIGGER-BRAKES Smile
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