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Daddy68
Samba Member
Joined: September 08, 2010
Posts: 109
Location: Blaine, Wa
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 Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 12:01 pm Post subject: Cost to replace all brakes on 1968 camper bus |
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| Have a 1968 camper bus and have been told the brakes need to be replaced. Everything but the master cylinder and the front shoes will need to be replaced. Anyone venture a fair cost to have this done? How about doing it myself? I have worked on my bus(replaced clutch and other minor things)and am not afraid to do it myself if the difficulty level or need for specialized tools isn't too high. I was told by one mechanic that it can be near impossible to find brake drums if they won't turn. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. |
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PITApan
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2014
Posts: 1058
Location: Northern Colorado
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| Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 12:10 pm Post subject: Re: Cost to replace all breaks on 1968 camper bus |
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| Daddy68 wrote: |
| Have a 1968 camper bus and have been told the breaks need to be replaced. Everything but the master cylinder and the front shows will need to be replaced. Anyone venture a fair cost to have this done? How about doing it myself? I have worked on my bus(replaced clutch and other minor things)and am not afraid to do it myself if the difficulty level or need for specialized tools isn't too high. I was told by one mechanic that it can be near impossible to find brake drums if they won't turn. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. |
If you've done a clutch brakes are straight up. The only "special" tools are a flare nut wrench if you have to pukll cylinders. Cheap (but buy a good one, you need it well toleranced) and a slugger wrench for the axle nuts (also cheap) Mostly you will be fighting rust and frozen fittings. Plan on replacing more lines than you think---they break when you try to get them apart. If nothing is leaking, the rubber lines look good and the metal lines aren't rusted, then it's a simple brake job. New shoes, have the drums skimmed. done. Price out new drums at your favorite vendor if yours are too worn to cut. price the shoes while you are there. Call any auto machine shop and get their standard price to cut drums.
It's common to replace "hardware" too. Springs and clips and such. Often rusty. Comes in a kit.
But if nothing is leaking |
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Heathintexas
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2011
Posts: 135
Location: Berlin Germany
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| Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 12:10 pm Post subject: |
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Do it yourself. It's easy. As a matter of fact, go grab a copy of the May 2015 hot VWs magazine for 5 bucks. there's an article in there of how to do a brake job of a 68 bus!
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=582117 |
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Daddy68
Samba Member
Joined: September 08, 2010
Posts: 109
Location: Blaine, Wa
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| Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 2:21 pm Post subject: Thanks! |
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| Appreciate the advice. Healthintexas. I looked for the May copy of hot VW but it isn't out yet. Are you sure that is the correct issue. Can you buy kits for doing this kind of repair? I'm assuming I use German parts if available. Keep the tips coming, starting to sound like I should just do this myself. |
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richparker
Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2011
Posts: 6983
Location: Durango, CO
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| Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 2:29 pm Post subject: |
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I have a '68 and the brakes are easy peasy to replace. I have done all 4 of mine and installed new cylinders in the rear. Get the German cylinders if you need them, I bought the brizilan ones first and they leaked. I bought my parts from Bus Depot but CIP1 sells the parts too. I bet new shoes, rear cylinders and a spring kit would set you back around $200 ( just guessing). Good luck.
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TheFonz
Samba Member
Joined: July 04, 2009
Posts: 157
Location: NJ
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| Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 2:35 pm Post subject: |
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My dad had me do my first brake job on a 76' Triumph Spitfire. I was 13 at the time, had limited knowledge and was really intimidated, but everything came out to his expectations. The biggest thing to remember is to do one side at a time so you can use the untouched side as a reference. There is plenty of great write ups on it and as strange as it seems- brakes are pretty idiot proof (it's hard to put them together the wrong way!). Just remember to bleed them when you're done!
You also save beaucoup dollars as you can use the knowledge on your future vehicles!
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-73' Westfalia
-76' Westfalia
-72' Westfalia (parts bus)
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=452223&highlight=
^Check out my restoration thread |
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secretsubmariner
Champagne Wrangler
Joined: January 08, 2011
Posts: 3104
Location: Tulsa, OK
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| Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 2:52 pm Post subject: |
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Depends on what's broken. Could be pretty costly if it's broken in more than one spot.
Wait, wait, pump the brakes I think I misunderstood the question
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pantone149
Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2004
Posts: 1018
Location: Mt. Shasta
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| Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Fixing brakes is a lot more difficult than spelling the word brakes. |
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Bob Loblaw
Samba Member
Joined: August 17, 2008
Posts: 865
Location: Vancouver Island, Canada
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| Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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| pantone149 wrote: |
| Fixing brakes is a lot more difficult than spelling the word brakes. |
OP could be in trouble.
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sent from a phone using poor grammar and spelling |
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Randy in Maine
Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2003
Posts: 34890
Location: The Beach
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| Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 3:32 pm Post subject: |
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Perhaps you could take some picture of the brake replacement when you do it and post it up here for others to view.
Personally I like to clean up the star wheels on my bend grinder brush dn use a 50/50 mix of
If you have the dough or know someone with a sandblaster some quality time on the back plates is time well spent. If yours are toast some new ones are worth the money if you intend to keep the bus for a while. |
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Tcash
Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2011
Posts: 12844
Location: San Jose, California, USA
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Daddy68
Samba Member
Joined: September 08, 2010
Posts: 109
Location: Blaine, Wa
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| Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2015 10:17 am Post subject: Parts list |
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| At the risk of being chastised for not already knowing, what exactly do I need to replace the brakes, both front and back, hoses included. Assume the drums are okay. Thanks. Anyone have an opinion on the best book for a beginner to use for this operation? I have the idiot book, and the Chiltons. |
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PITApan
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2014
Posts: 1058
Location: Northern Colorado
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| Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2015 10:22 am Post subject: Re: Parts list |
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| Daddy68 wrote: |
| At the risk of being chastised for not already knowing, what exactly do I need to replace the brakes, both front and back, hoses included. Assume the drums are okay. Thanks. Anyone have an opinion on the best book for a beginner to use for this operation? I have the idiot book, and the Chiltons. |
Depends on what is in bad condition. Is the hardware rusty? Count on the shoes needing it. Are cylinders leaking? Soft lines cracked? Hard lines rusty?
There is no standard. You have to dig in and look around.
It is good practice to service wheel bearings during a brake job as well. |
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Eskimotom
Samba Member
Joined: May 18, 2007
Posts: 40
Location: Lake Wobegon MN
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| Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2015 10:49 am Post subject: |
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Here is a nice graphic of available brake parts from WW.
The top graphic/right has the bay parts. All the cylinders, shoes and what not are on the page also on the bottom graphic.
Its a good educational tool, click and learn what is what based on location.
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/wolfsburg_new/brakes/bus_brake/brakes_bus.cfm?type=2
For my 67 bus (close to an early bay), not including brake drums, but with the Master Cylinder, all shoes, all cylinders, all soft hoses, all hard lines, e brake cables some misc hard ware + 2 front backing plate repos, I have around $800 in parts alone to WW for brake parts. That doesn't include any bearings.
My plan was to replace everything but the drums.
Don't know if that helps but study the WW page and send for the catalog, I spend lots of time with the printed page edition, easier on my old eyes than the computer. That and I don't have internet for the pc at home. |
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Tcash
Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2011
Posts: 12844
Location: San Jose, California, USA
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| Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2015 12:20 pm Post subject: Re: Parts list |
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| Daddy68 wrote: |
| At the risk of being chastised for not already knowing, what exactly do I need to replace the brakes, both front and back, hoses included. Assume the drums are okay. Thanks. Anyone have an opinion on the best book for a beginner to use for this operation? I have the idiot book, and the Chiltons. |
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1675610
Good Luck
Tcash |
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Daddy68
Samba Member
Joined: September 08, 2010
Posts: 109
Location: Blaine, Wa
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| Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 5:41 pm Post subject: Finally ordering parts |
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Okay so it has been a good long while since I started this thread. I'm going to start with the rear brakes and am ready to order parts. I'd be into opinions on the following items if anyone is willing to take the time.
1. I see a number of options for new wheel cylinders. German is one but they are at least twice as much coin as the others. Thoughts?
2. How about the wheel cylinder rebuild kits? Are those a worthy way to go?
3. The socket used to take the axel nut off, is this a standard socket or is it specific to this application only?
4. Any other specialized tools that will make the job easier? I'm into my bus for the long haul so I'm not opposed to investing in tools that I would probably use again anyway.
Thanks. |
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Vince Waldon
Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2010
Posts: 451
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 16883
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 5:49 pm Post subject: |
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be careful with cheap cylinders. the ones i have had the "privilege" of using were cast so thick, the brake line would not bottom out when the nut was tightened.
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Vince Waldon
Samba Member
Joined: November 07, 2010
Posts: 451
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
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| Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 5:54 pm Post subject: Re: Cost to replace all brakes on 1968 camper bus |
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| Daddy68 wrote: |
| Have a 1968 camper bus and have been told the brakes need to be replaced. Everything but the master cylinder and the front shoes will need to be replaced. |
One other thought, FWIW. T'were me, and I already had everything else completely apart.. I'd be pretty hard on my opinion of the state of the master and front shoes and likely refresh 'em as well at the slightest provocation.
Be a shame to do all this work and then have the master blow out some time down the road and then you're flushing from scratch all over again.
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Vince Waldon Edmonton Alberta CANADA
1970 baywindow |
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Tom Powell
Samba Member
Joined: December 01, 2005
Posts: 4855
Location: Kaneohe
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| Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2015 7:34 pm Post subject: |
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brake drums can be difficult to find
If you have deep pockets, consider putting disc brakes on the front and/or adding a booster.
dont' trash any parts until the job is complete
replace all the rubber lines
use a flare nut wrench on the brake lines and bleeders
Aloha
tp |
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