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nacradriver Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2009 Posts: 760 Location: Ventura, CA
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Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 2:26 pm Post subject: Name That Repair |
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Have this leak that I'll be looking after soon and want to get an idea on what to be looking for once I get into it...
Not the caliper as there is no leaking on the backside, and the brake pedal is firm. It is only on the left front wheel.... thinking the dust cap may be craped out... suggestions?
_________________ Güdrun -1989 Westfalia - 2013 - 2018
Petra - 1985 Vanagon - 1985 to 1991
Zisa - 1974 VW Van "Bus" - 1974 to 1985 |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32625 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Christopher Schimke Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2005 Posts: 5390 Location: PNW
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Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 3:10 pm Post subject: Re: Name That Repair |
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When the hub gets hot, the grease thins out and this allows it to creep out of the crevices around the grease cap and it gets slung outward.
Many times this will happen when the rotor gets really hot due to a dragging caliper or sometimes even when there is a long, downhill event that required lots of braking. Obviously the wheel bearings could be the culprit too. _________________ "Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)
*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
T3Technique.com or contact me at [email protected] |
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dhaavers Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010 Posts: 7756 Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 4:27 pm Post subject: Re: Name That Repair |
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Another vote for bearing grease. Something's getting hot down in that corner...check it out, SOON.
_________________ 86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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nacradriver Samba Member
Joined: January 15, 2009 Posts: 760 Location: Ventura, CA
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Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:05 pm Post subject: Re: Name That Repair |
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Christopher Schimke wrote: |
When the hub gets hot, the grease thins out and this allows it to creep out of the crevices around the grease cap and it gets slung outward.
Many times this will happen when the rotor gets really hot due to a dragging caliper or sometimes even when there is a long, downhill event that required lots of braking. Obviously the wheel bearings could be the culprit too. |
Thanks Christopher... what would cause a caliper to drag... _________________ Güdrun -1989 Westfalia - 2013 - 2018
Petra - 1985 Vanagon - 1985 to 1991
Zisa - 1974 VW Van "Bus" - 1974 to 1985 |
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Merian Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014 Posts: 5212 Location: Orygun
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Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:13 pm Post subject: Re: Name That Repair |
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if someone has not changed the rubber brake hoses, they can swell shut, preventing the piston from moving back
or any of a dozen other possibilities
anyway, you want to put it up on stands while you do ALL brake maintenance and wheel bearing maintenance - do all 4 wheels
- how long since the wheel bearings were inspected and re-greased? |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16503 Location: Brookeville, MD
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T3 Pilot Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2011 Posts: 1507 Location: Deep South of the Great White North
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Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:38 pm Post subject: Re: Name That Repair |
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nacradriver wrote: |
Christopher Schimke wrote: |
When the hub gets hot, the grease thins out and this allows it to creep out of the crevices around the grease cap and it gets slung outward.
Many times this will happen when the rotor gets really hot due to a dragging caliper or sometimes even when there is a long, downhill event that required lots of braking. Obviously the wheel bearings could be the culprit too. |
Thanks Christopher... what would cause a caliper to drag... |
The caliber guide pins need some Silicone grease and confirm that their respective boots are in good condition. _________________ 1988 Vanagon
The most important part in every vehicle is the nut behind the wheel...... |
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Howesight Samba Member
Joined: July 02, 2008 Posts: 3274 Location: Vancouver, B.C.
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Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 7:04 pm Post subject: Re: Name That Repair |
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Years ago, a local cat sprayed my custom wheel rims several days in a row. Since cat pee is the same colour and viscosity as brake fluid, I thought I knew what to do. Fortunately, before removing the wheel to check the brake hoses and caliper, I sniffed the "brake" fluid.
Bingo - - it was Felix at work. _________________ '86 Syncro Westy SVX |
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chase4food Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2016 Posts: 636 Location: PNW im Amerika
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Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 8:05 pm Post subject: Re: Name That Repair |
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nacradriver wrote: |
Thanks Christopher... what would cause a caliper to drag... |
What Christopher most likely meant is the brake pad are dragging excessively as if you have the brake applied a bit while driving. There are a few common causes:
For fixed caliper like the earlier Vanagon with dual pistons. After a incomplete rebuild, one or both the pistons may not slide smoothly, typically due to rusted pistons with the vehicle in the rust belt, or just simply too old and rusty. This prevents the piston from retracting slightly when there is no hydraulic pressure.
On floating caliper, like the one on later Vanagon, rust can cause the floating caliper to no longer float on the sliders. This will cause excessive brake drag. Of course the piston is susceptible to seizure just as the fixed caliper if the piston is rusty.
I have seen both of these two causes.
When there is excessive rust on the brake pad cavity of the caliper, that too can cause the pad not to retract and hence excessive drag. _________________ - Vince 飲食玩睡
what Isolde wants Isolde doesn't always get, 4 I know what is best for her - Liebe macht frei |
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Michael4104 Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2014 Posts: 340 Location: Livermore, Ca
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Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 9:16 pm Post subject: Re: Name That Repair |
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Another vote for pulling the wheel and have a look.
I doubt there's a rust problems in Ventura ca., but stickie pins can happen. _________________ 1990 Wolfsburg Carat with new poptop.
1985 Westy now sporting a 1995 Jetta ABA 2.0L. Sold |
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