Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
When you drive up a mountain and your van breaks down
Page: Previous  1, 2, 3, 4  Next
Forum Index -> Vanagon Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
IdahoDoug
Samba Member


Joined: June 12, 2010
Posts: 10239
Location: N. Idaho
IdahoDoug is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Nov 22, 2017 10:32 pm    Post subject: Re: When you drive up a mountain and your van breaks down Reply with quote

Heee, dude I know you well enough to know exactly what you're doing!!! I got your SAAB right here, pal!
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Waldi
Samba Member


Joined: February 28, 2014
Posts: 1752
Location: Germany
Waldi is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Nov 23, 2017 6:29 am    Post subject: Re: When you drive up a mountain and your van breaks down Reply with quote

I have bought a van in Italy (Alps) which has gone down the hill into a river velly due to self loosening hand break.
This self loosening hand break is a comon failrure.
Happened to my van too when it rolled down 5m into my trailer at home.
Never leave the van parked on a hill without 1st or R gear inside.
Make sure your hand break mechanism (spring) is in good shape.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
IdahoDoug
Samba Member


Joined: June 12, 2010
Posts: 10239
Location: N. Idaho
IdahoDoug is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Nov 23, 2017 10:02 am    Post subject: Re: When you drive up a mountain and your van breaks down Reply with quote

That is very good advice. Gravity is powerful worldwide...
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Wildthings
Samba Member


Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50261

Wildthings is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Nov 23, 2017 10:13 am    Post subject: Re: When you drive up a mountain and your van breaks down Reply with quote

IdahoDoug wrote:
That is very good advice. Gravity is powerful worldwide...


Gravity deniers of the world unite now before its too late!!!!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Sodo
Samba Member


Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9521
Location: Western WA
Sodo is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Nov 23, 2017 7:13 pm    Post subject: Re: When you drive up a mountain and your van breaks down Reply with quote

Waldi wrote:
This self loosening hand break is a comon failrure.
......
Make sure your hand break mechanism (spring) is in good shape.


I’ve never heard of this problem. Even with no spring you would have to first pull the handle a little to unload the pawl or it won’t release.

There is only one spring in the handle. If you feel spring tension on the release button the spring is good.
_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
ALIKA T3
Samba Member


Joined: July 30, 2009
Posts: 6316
Location: Honolulu,Hawaii and France
ALIKA T3 is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 12:43 am    Post subject: Re: When you drive up a mountain and your van breaks down Reply with quote

Sodo wrote:
Waldi wrote:
This self loosening hand break is a comon failrure.
......
Make sure your hand break mechanism (spring) is in good shape.


I’ve never heard of this problem. Even with no spring you would have to first pull the handle a little to unload the pawl or it won’t release.

There is only one spring in the handle. If you feel spring tension on the release button the spring is good.


I've had it happen to me twice: parking brake pulled, and you hear a big "TONG" and it all comes loose. I never found out why, like a tooth came out or something. I inspected everything, it's like it never happened, and it never did it again. Looks like a snapped cable type of situation.

The first time at the top of my 16% driveway in France to go open the gate, good thing it happened right away, I was still in the van. Big scary drop from the hill side on the right side, wall on the left side, barely wide enough for the van to fit... I learnt that day how to steer well backing up real fast while just looking in the outside mirrors. Couldn't stop the van, it happend so fast and got too much motion :the bottom of the driveway was a big gravel yard. Scary as hell. I remember having shoved gravel in the tail pipe from the speed. Uffff!

Second time ,same, steep driveway in Hawai'i, but I had a gear engaged this time (hé-hé) and it rolled slowly so I was able to go back in, I still had one leg inside...

Damn e-brakes!
_________________
Silicone Steering Boots and 930 Cv boots for sale in the classifieds.
Syncro transmission upgrade parts in the Classifieds.
Subaru EJ22+UN1 5 speed transmission
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=416343
Syncro http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...num+gadget
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
jackbombay
Samba Member


Joined: October 19, 2007
Posts: 2723
Location: Eastern Idaho
jackbombay is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 7:29 am    Post subject: Re: When you drive up a mountain and your van breaks down Reply with quote

IdahoDoug wrote:
Certain SAAB models put their emergency/parking brakes on the front wheels, which makes a lot of sense if you're trying to stop the car as quickly as possible in a true emergency.


Our 1991 subaru loyale had the hand brake on the front wheels, but I much prefer it on the rear wheels to get the car to "rotate" when desired Wink
_________________

Gas struts to pop your top easily!

Pop Top strut kits now available for late Bay window Westies Smile


Samba ad here.


DIY artificial rain gutters (ARGs)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
Sodo
Samba Member


Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 9521
Location: Western WA
Sodo is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 9:17 am    Post subject: Re: When you drive up a mountain and your van breaks down Reply with quote

ALIKA T3 wrote:
Sodo wrote:
Waldi wrote:
This self loosening hand break is a comon failrure.
......
Make sure your hand break mechanism (spring) is in good shape.


I’ve never heard of this problem. Even with no spring you would have to first pull the handle a little to unload the pawl or it won’t release.

There is only one spring in the handle. If you feel spring tension on the release button the spring is good.


I've had it happen to me twice: parking brake pulled, and you hear a big "TONG" and it all comes loose. I never found out why, like a tooth came out or something. I inspected everything, it's like it never happened, and it never did it again. Looks like a snapped cable....


OK not a spring problem but a failure of the ratchet pawl. I have experienced this too but the car didn’t roll away; perhaps my foot was still near the footbrake? I can happen after a few minutes delay, another reason use a 2nd (or 3rd) means to be certain it cannot roll.

Probably the ratchet pawls did not engage properly - then the pawl is “thrown out” with such force it doesn’t stop at the adjacent tooth but skips over the next few teeth.

Or perhaps something else wrong, such as an iPhone cable tangled in the mechanism. And you assumed cable damage was from the cat chewing on the cable.Wink

Actually this is a good argument for having good brake function at the wheel. My brake is so weak that every time, I must pull it as HARD as possible. Which is perhaps more risk to the problem described above. However, since I cannot rely on the brake holding (for past 8 years) I ALWAYS put it in granny or reverse and steer the front wheels to the most favorable angle. People in Kansas or Florida (or Holland) probably don’t develop such habits.

If driving in Austria.....such habits could be beneficial.Wink maybe the Syncro driver was from Holland, and first time driving in the mountains? I wonder if e-brake function is “tested” in Austria. Can you drive a car that has a brake (that clicks nicely, even “3” clicks Wink) but doesn’t actually hold the car from rolling? In WA state (USA) there are no vehicle inspections, you can change anything. Also I have never heard of a handbrake test, and we have many cities with parking on steep hills.
_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
IdahoDoug
Samba Member


Joined: June 12, 2010
Posts: 10239
Location: N. Idaho
IdahoDoug is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 10:27 am    Post subject: Re: When you drive up a mountain and your van breaks down Reply with quote

Yeah, a well maintained handbrake is a must - particularly if you are offroading. Many stucks occur while heading uphill and I cringe when people set the parking brake, leave the engine running in N and hop out to take a look at what's got them stuck.

We used to use the rule the driver stays in the driver's seat under this circumstance. Parking brake on, vehicle in gear or Park. If its a broken part, be alert this may affect secondary effectiveness. Such as an axle, or CV joint which means having the vehicle in gear it can still roll.

If the driver's getting out because its a mechanical failure and nobody's going anywhere for a while, roll rocks behind the wheels, firewood, strap to a tree or another vehicle. Being on a steep hill with a need for the vehicle to hold itself stationary is a time to over do the safety thinking.
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
fxr
Samba Member


Joined: December 07, 2014
Posts: 2301
Location: Bay area CA
fxr is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 6:50 pm    Post subject: Re: When you drive up a mountain and your van breaks down Reply with quote

Sodo wrote:

If driving in Austria.....such habits could be beneficial.Wink maybe the Syncro driver was from Holland, and first time driving in the mountains? I wonder if e-brake function is “tested” in Austria. Can you drive a car that has a brake (that clicks nicely, even “3” clicks Wink) but doesn’t actually hold the car from rolling? In WA state (USA) there are no vehicle inspections, you can change anything. Also I have never heard of a handbrake test, and we have many cities with parking on steep hills.

In the EU, the hand-brake is tested every year on a rolling road at the annual road-worthiness test, along with a myriad of other things that those in the US often don't consider in the lifetime of a vehicle. Wink

These road-worthiness tests (e.g. called the MOT in the UK) can be a RRPITA sometimes. Just a faded or cracked red or amber cover over a tail light or blinker can mean a failure.
_________________
Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
IdahoDoug
Samba Member


Joined: June 12, 2010
Posts: 10239
Location: N. Idaho
IdahoDoug is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Nov 30, 2017 7:43 pm    Post subject: Re: When you drive up a mountain and your van breaks down Reply with quote

I wish they got that serious here actually. The number of cars on bald tires with 3 working brakes and frayed wiper blades is appalling. Somehow the driver manages to buy a subwoofer, a pack of $8 cigarettes and the brightest damn set of dimestore LEDs which are always pointed up in my eyes. Damn kids! (Imagine an old guy shaking his fist out the window)... Laughing
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Jake de Villiers
Samba Member


Joined: October 24, 2007
Posts: 5911
Location: Tsawwassen, BC
Jake de Villiers is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 9:50 am    Post subject: Re: When you drive up a mountain and your van breaks down Reply with quote

IdahoDoug wrote:
I wish they got that serious here actually. The number of cars on bald tires with 3 working brakes and frayed wiper blades is appalling. Somehow the driver manages to buy a subwoofer, a pack of $8 cigarettes and the brightest damn set of dimestore LEDs which are always pointed up in my eyes. Damn kids! (Imagine an old guy shaking his fist out the window)... Laughing

I see that you're ready to join the old farts. Repeat after me: "Get offa my lawn!" Very Happy
_________________
'84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
www.thebassspa.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Waldi
Samba Member


Joined: February 28, 2014
Posts: 1752
Location: Germany
Waldi is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 10:38 am    Post subject: Re: When you drive up a mountain and your van breaks down Reply with quote

fxr wrote:
Sodo wrote:

If driving in Austria.....such habits could be beneficial.Wink maybe the Syncro driver was from Holland, and first time driving in the mountains? I wonder if e-brake function is “tested” in Austria. Can you drive a car that has a brake (that clicks nicely, even “3” clicks Wink) but doesn’t actually hold the car from rolling? In WA state (USA) there are no vehicle inspections, you can change anything. Also I have never heard of a handbrake test, and we have many cities with parking on steep hills.

In the EU, the hand-brake is tested every year on a rolling road at the annual road-worthiness test, along with a myriad of other things that those in the US often don't consider in the lifetime of a vehicle. Wink

These road-worthiness tests (e.g. called the MOT in the UK) can be a RRPITA sometimes. Just a faded or cracked red or amber cover over a tail light or blinker can mean a failure.


Yes they test the "hand break" every 2 years, but they do only test the funktion of the rear breaks and not the funktion of the mechanism.
They just pull it and look if the break works. They dont engage it.
Also the problem is, this failure comes unexpected. Means the mechanism is working always, but on time not. BUUUUUM
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
E1
Samba Member


Joined: January 21, 2013
Posts: 6379
Location: Westfalia, Earth
E1 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 10:48 am    Post subject: Re: When you drive up a mountain and your van breaks down Reply with quote

IdahoDoug wrote:
My question is why didn't he just drive it down?
Because that thread would have been boring. Wink
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."

— Colin Chapman
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Waldi
Samba Member


Joined: February 28, 2014
Posts: 1752
Location: Germany
Waldi is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 10:52 am    Post subject: Re: When you drive up a mountain and your van breaks down Reply with quote

E1 wrote:
IdahoDoug wrote:
My question is why didn't he just drive it down?
Because that thread would have been boring. Wink


Same boring as lifting it up by a helicopter instead driving it up Smile
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
E1
Samba Member


Joined: January 21, 2013
Posts: 6379
Location: Westfalia, Earth
E1 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 11:01 am    Post subject: Re: When you drive up a mountain and your van breaks down Reply with quote

True!

Couple things:
-- pulling up e-brake and hearing clicking: Bad
-- pushing in button, pulling up brake until tight and then releasing button: Good

-- applying e-brake and then putting into gear to park: Bad
-- putting in gear and rolling weight onto transmission until stopped, then applying e-brake: Good
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."

— Colin Chapman
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Waldi
Samba Member


Joined: February 28, 2014
Posts: 1752
Location: Germany
Waldi is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 11:07 am    Post subject: Re: When you drive up a mountain and your van breaks down Reply with quote

Thats the pic of mine bought van after some stripping.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Abscate Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22570
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
Abscate is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 11:10 am    Post subject: Re: When you drive up a mountain and your van breaks down Reply with quote

It looks like the transmission oil overheated, Waldi
_________________
.ssS!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
ALIKA T3
Samba Member


Joined: July 30, 2009
Posts: 6316
Location: Honolulu,Hawaii and France
ALIKA T3 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 11:19 am    Post subject: Re: When you drive up a mountain and your van breaks down Reply with quote

Nice attack angle on the front! Ready for climbing back up the hill Laughing
_________________
Silicone Steering Boots and 930 Cv boots for sale in the classifieds.
Syncro transmission upgrade parts in the Classifieds.
Subaru EJ22+UN1 5 speed transmission
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=416343
Syncro http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...num+gadget
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
E1
Samba Member


Joined: January 21, 2013
Posts: 6379
Location: Westfalia, Earth
E1 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 11:26 am    Post subject: Re: When you drive up a mountain and your van breaks down Reply with quote

^^^ This is what happens when telling one's van to get bent ^^^
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."

— Colin Chapman
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Vanagon All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page: Previous  1, 2, 3, 4  Next
Page 3 of 4

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.