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Dwighia
Samba Member
Joined: November 26, 2010
Posts: 78
Location: Arlington, VA
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 Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:23 pm Post subject: front disk brakes overpowering the rear drums |
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| Was the solution to the front disk brake problem ever resolved? I have a similar problem with my 71 Ghia. the front disk brakes seem to always overpower the rear drum brakes such that the front tires skid whenever I hit the brakes with just a little bit more pressure than usual on dry pavement. The front tires skid very easily on wet roads. I feel like all the braking force is on the front and almost none on the back. |
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kingkarmann
Samba Member
Joined: November 05, 2003
Posts: 4111
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| Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 7:55 am Post subject: |
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Resurrected after 4 years? 
I sure hope the original poster has resolved the issue and didn't become one with a stationary object!
Well, late last summer I replaced a cracked (original) brake fluid resevoir. During power bleeding I had trouble with a spongy pedal and couldn't really get it as firm as it should be. I went on a short test drive. The pedal would sink nearly to the floor. I found an empty lot, got out and started working the pedal back and forth making sure it was fully retracting. The pressure and firmness returned. I believe that the m/c rod was not returning to it's proper position. There's a vent hole in the master cylinder bore. If the rod doesn't retract properly the fluid can't build sufficient pressure to power the brake cylinders.
fosd; The issue you describe seems more to do with old swollen brake lines. They will look fine from the outside but can swell nearly shut. This constricts the flow. With each succesive application of the brake pedal the fluid pressure increases, making the calipers bind. If you are unsure of there age, replace them and see if that resolves the problem
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"Depression is a malfunction of the instrument we use to determine reality.”
Mike Gerson
What is your "Bespoke Reality"? |
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hpw
Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2006
Posts: 3010
Location: memphis
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| Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 8:46 am Post subject: |
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| kingkarmann wrote: |
fosd; The issue you describe seems more to do with old swollen brake lines. They will look fine from the outside but can swell nearly shut. This constricts the flow. With each succesive application of the brake pedal the fluid pressure increases, making the calipers bind. If you are unsure of there age, replace them and see if that resolves the problem |
Screen capture from Bug Me Video of a new and old brake line.
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72Ghia
Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2007
Posts: 1253
Location: Baltimore Maryland
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Bezzer
Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2006
Posts: 288
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| Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:09 am Post subject: |
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easy fix guys, The rear brakes are not working correctly  Be certain the Master C is working properly, and insure rear rubber hoses are new, and slave cylinders are not froze. 
your symptoms are same as a non-working rear brakes.
Clue, if you pull up emergency brake and then put on brake pedal it's, fine, right???
good luck
Bezzer
1970 Ghia |
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Ghia Newbee
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2015
Posts: 2
Location: New York
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| Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2015 9:51 pm Post subject: Rear Drums for 1 inch shoes 4 lug |
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I hope someone can help me with some questions and answers
I have a 1967 VW Karmann Ghia and am having problems with fitment of the brakes
I am doing restoration on brakes. I purchase a rear brake drum kit from Rockauto ( drums, shoes wheel cyl) My rear brake shoes are 1 inch wide and sent me much wider 1.5 inch brake shoes and drums
and the drums seem wider too. ( will the wider rear brake drums work with 1 inch shoes?? using 4 lug wheels also wheel cylinder seem wrong. out too far
Has anybody else had this problem, or do I need to change the backing plates too. i just Need a little expert advise help please
Mike |
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CiderGuy
Samba Member
Joined: December 23, 2013
Posts: 1351
Location: Bucks County, Pa
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| Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2015 3:54 am Post subject: Re: Rear Drums for 1 inch shoes 4 lug |
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| Ghia Newbee wrote: |
I hope someone can help me with some questions and answers
I have a 1967 VW Karmann Ghia and am having problems with fitment of the brakes
I am doing restoration on brakes. I purchase a rear brake drum kit from Rockauto ( drums, shoes wheel cyl) My rear brake shoes are 1 inch wide and sent me much wider 1.5 inch brake shoes and drums
and the drums seem wider too. ( will the wider rear brake drums work with 1 inch shoes?? using 4 lug wheels also wheel cylinder seem wrong. out too far
Has anybody else had this problem, or do I need to change the backing plates too. i just Need a little expert advise help please
Mike |
I return the parts to Rockauto, and contact a supplier who deals in air cooled parts. Before you buy the brake parts the next time, call the supplier and make sure they will fit.
_________________
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Cars Currently Owned:
1970 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1973 Karmann Ghia Coupe - Project car for sale
1970 Karmann Ghia Convertible (Body off restoration)
Timing is everything |
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Ghia Newbee
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2015
Posts: 2
Location: New York
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| Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2015 6:07 am Post subject: Re: Rear Drums for 1 inch shoes 4 lug |
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| CiderGuy wrote: |
| Ghia Newbee wrote: |
I hope someone can help me with some questions and answers
I have a 1967 VW Karmann Ghia and am having problems with fitment of the brakes
I am doing restoration on brakes. I purchase a rear brake drum kit from Rockauto ( drums, shoes wheel cyl) My rear brake shoes are 1 inch wide and sent me much wider 1.5 inch brake shoes and drums
and the drums seem wider too. ( will the wider rear brake drums work with 1 inch shoes?? using 4 lug wheels also wheel cylinder seem wrong. out too far
Has anybody else had this problem, or do I need to change the backing plates too. i just Need a little expert advise help please
Mike |
I return the parts to Rockauto, and contact a supplier who deals in air cooled parts. Before you buy the brake parts the next time, call the supplier and make sure they will fit. |
Thanks CiderGuy for the info. Most web Auto parts suppliers want you to purchased on the web
When you call them it's usually someone that knows nothing about the parts. Internet Operators FWIW
I really looking to see if you can find Rear Drums 9" with 4 bolt that fit 1" shoes... or you use the wider drums? or live with it or have them machined
Thanks Again |
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Dwighia
Samba Member
Joined: November 26, 2010
Posts: 78
Location: Arlington, VA
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| Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2021 2:06 pm Post subject: Re: Brake Problem |
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Looking over my notes I realize I neglected to thank KingKarmann for his excellent advice on brake hoses. I now have my very own picture of totally constricted brake hoses from my '68 Ghia. I am now a true believer in replacing these hoses. Thanks again KingKarmann. You're the King!
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'71 Ghia Sedan
'68 Ghia Convertible
'84 Vanagon
If you dismantle a VW engine and reassemble it enough times, will you end up with enough extra parts for another engine? |
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rbsurfguy
Samba Member
Joined: August 10, 2008
Posts: 1757
Location: Fairfax, Northern Virginia Formerly Huntington Beach, SoCal
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| Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2021 3:25 pm Post subject: Re: Brake Problem |
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Yeah, that may cause a bit of slowdown problems!!! Good to know another Ghia is in the neighborhood.
Jeff
_________________
1971 Ghia convertible (Body off rebuild)
2019 VW Atlas 4Motion
2012 Passat-Sold
See my build on The Samba at:
Jeff's 71 Vert Restoration/Reassembly http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6...highlight= |
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