Brake pedal freeplay

[rockhead52]

Are there any videos out there on how to adjust brake pedal freeplay on a VW Beetle. I have a 59 and my pedal goes to within a couple 3 inches from the floor. It does stop good but it freaks me out.

[my3bugs]

prolly a good old shoe adjustment will bring your pedal up . there is an adjustment for the push rod but its usually not messed with . that is just a short movement or gap till it starts pushing on your master Cylinder so its FREE and not touching the MC like just a millimeter gap . you can prolly go confirm that by moving the pedal by hand n feel for it .

[Cusser]

Adjust the brakes WELL at all four. Make sure all are bled well, with new brake fluid.

If pedal play is too much investigate the stop plate on the pan (if a 1959 has that) and then carefully adjust the brake pushrod length.
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[zerotofifty]

Dont skimp on the brakes. These old cars have a single circuit brake system, which means if any leak in the system happens, you risk loosing the brakes totally, leaving only the hand brake as a back up. (thus make sure the hand brake works well, it should lock up after about four clicks , if more, then adjust it

assure the brake fluid is flushed and fresh. assure the shoes are not worn past the lining, and assure the shoes are adjusted.
the pedal free play is very small, but MUST exist.

If the pdeal can be pumped up (i.e. multiple strokes cause the pedal to come up higher and higher) that is a symptom of air in the system.

take care of your brakes, so they can take care of you

If all else is good, but the brake pedal travels too far down, it may well be that the shoes need adjusting. this is done on all four wheels and needs to be done periodically as the shoes wear.

_________________
Sorry About That Chief.

Give Peace a Chance.

Words to live by.

[zerotofifty]

_________________
Sorry About That Chief.

Give Peace a Chance.

Words to live by.

[KTPhil]

You never know what maladjustments or parts replacements have been done on these cars.

Check that the distance from the pedal tip to the bulkhead is a little under 8" (pedal NOT depressed). If it is, proceed as above.

If it is more or less, adjust the stop plate to get this distance. Only THEN should you mess with the pushrod length, in order to get 5-7mm of freeplay measured at the pedal tip using your hand.

And as above, make sure the shoes are adjusted and the hydraulics are properly bled, and that your e-brake is good and tight when pulled.

The order of the steps above is critical to your safety.
_________________
Current Fleet:
- '71 Fastback
- '69 Westfalia
Retired:
- '67 Beetle
- '65 Beetle (x2)
- '65 Bus
- '71 Squareback

[jinx758]

Just a side-bar suggestion to the great/critical info above :

Many, many moons ago I got a HF prybar set. The smallest one is about 8inches in length & has a slight bend about 1.5inches from the point. Two minutes with a grinder on both sides and it has been the best star adjuster. WAY better than any of the screwdrivers I've used.
I always have to include it when showing up to my car club's "Wrench Nites".

Good luck ... stay safe

jinx
_________________
" It's not valuable unless you learn something from an experience. " Henry Ford

It's not unlike the same difference ...

My Craigslist rescued 100 footer :
1971 Standard Bug
1776cc dual port
034 distributor
38mm EGAS Carburetor

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[viiking]

Procedures in their full are there for a reason. So are the measurements and how you are supposed to get them. "I don't mess with 'measuring this and measuring that'" is poor advice for critical systems.

Not everyone who comes on here looking for answers will bother to do the full procedure but jump to the last part of the poor advice that says "adjust the pushrod". This can have serious consequences.

These pages are full of people who come looking for advice. Not all of them have the ability or experience to "take shortcuts".

I just hope the next time I fly in a plane that the technician has not disregarded the procedures and guessed at the clearance of an important part of the plane because they knew better than the engineers who had written them and had them peer reviewed and them proofed and checked in practice.
_________________
1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

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