odd brake issue

[63Fiberbuggy]

On a ride Saturday, everything performing normal 1st 15 miles of driving; then I had to abruptly brake hard due to car in front of me turning at last second...nothing unusual about that. However, I traveled a couple blocks and put in clutch to stop for a red light; the buggy about stopped itself in tracks & pulling left. On green, I accelerated & at next light same thing. Luckily, my destination was about a mile away; and when I pulled into parking lot, I described it to a friend who was waiting for me. We touched all 4 hubs and both front/rear left side were so hot couldn't keep fingers on them (right side front/rear just barely warm). After ~1 hour, left parking lot & drove home, and all 4 hubs were normal warm when I got home; no more issues on drive home.

Thoughts????

Buggy is on '63 Beetle chassis; w/'67 transaxle; original master cylinder/lines; new brake hoses a few years ago; ~2 year old wheel cylinders & shoes.

[Q-Dog]

I would check/replace the rubber brake lines. The insides break down with age and can partially block fluid from returning to the master cylinder.
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Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle

[Dale M.]

As Q-Dog says....Replace the rubber hose...Actually do both fronts, other side will fail about a week after fixing the problem hose...

Dale
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.

"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
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All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

[rugblaster]

On those old hoses you can cut them in half and if they are old enough they won't have a detectable hole through the length of them. They will swell shut. Also, make sure the master cylinder pushrod has a bit of free play when the pedal is all the way back.
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'69 Karmy, '69 Camper, Meyers clone, '65 drag bug, 10.78 @ 128 (sold it) '51 Dodge farm truck,
'09 MB E350 '18 MB E400, '65 Plymouth Valiant convertible and a '19 Ford F250 King Ranch (nicer, but dirty, farm truck)

VWoA factory trained line tech 75 till 90 or so
ASE Master Certification
VWoA Assoc. of Quality Technicians inductee (One of 25 in the five state southwest region)
La Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin (San Angelo Chapter)
TCU ......GO FROGS!!!!!!

[manxdavid]

[VOLKSWAGNUT]

In addition to the most common brake flex hose swelling, improper brake pedal push rod to master piston clearance can cause a similar issue. Especially if the concern is with ALL brakes.

No clearance or "play" between the two and the piston won't return to the rest position thus not allowing the fluid to return properly.
As fluid heat builds.. the fluid will expand and actually apply the brakes.

Most common symptoms of incorrect clearance, binding brakes without input and hot drums or rotors..

Flush brake fluid every 2 years regardless of miles driven.


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[63Fiberbuggy]

Thanks very much guys! I believe the free play is likely the main issue; when I press pedal it's "very tall", instant response. Also, I checked my maintenance history log and was wrong in thinking the hoses are ~2 years old; they were actually installed ~2003 and I'm running DOT-3, so I ordered a new full set of hoses (German) from Wolfsburg this morning.

Will update thread after I install/adjust/test.

[Dale M.]

Dale
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.

"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...