Brake pedal pulse after Gowesty Bigger Brake kit install...

[jschwerdtfeger]

Hey all,

I just had the Gowesty bigger brake kit installed along with the GW drum overhaul kit and stainless lines all around. The brake pedal is pulsing now (wasn't before), and the mechanics are telling me that it's the GW pads needing to break in or seat. I've had my fair share of break jobs done, though none this extensive and have never had a pulsing brake pedal after the job. I think something needs adjustment, or the new rotors are defective. The pulsing is most noticeable at the top of the pedal stroke and gets better as the brakes are applied.

Thoughts?
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//JS

[Igeo]

If it didn't pulse before the big brakes, and the drums out back weren't changed, then that points to the new rotors. I agree, the pad break-in is not likely to matter, but go ahead and put 500 miles on them and see what it does. In the end, I think checking the run-out of the rotors using a dial indicator will tell the tale.
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1987 Westfalia 2.1 WBX Manual

[erste]

You can pull up on the parking brake while driving slowly and if it pulses, that would point to it being the rear drums.

[jschwerdtfeger]

Both good suggestions, thanks!
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//JS

[wesitarz]

The rotors should spin straight without the pads on. They show this on the VanCafe big front brake video. Got mine on straight no problem. When I took them off after a few years I had a bugger of a time getting one back on straight. Finally figured it out to pound it back on using a block of wood between rotor and hammer.

[dschaftlein]

I had the same problem with a different big brake kit and rebuilt the rear brakes as well. My mechanic told me the same... but it didn't get any better. We replaced the drums and problem solved.

From what I understand if your brakes are pulsing suspect the drums.

[Igeo]

Mine pulsed before I installed my big brake kit, and it still pulsed after. So I replaced the drums and it was fixed. Presumably the GW rear brake kit you got included shoes, springs and cylinders. If so, maybe the new shoes don't conform well to the inside of the old drums (if they weren't replaced). Used to be that brake shops would machine the drums, then "arc" the linings so there would be no high/low spots or other unconformites.
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1987 Westfalia 2.1 WBX Manual

[rmcd]

I had another unknown vendors bbk and newish rear drums from same. They pulsed.

I took them to a brake shop and had them turn the discs and drums.

Butter.
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VW LT40 build. Like a Vanagon but 30% larger in every direction and 40% slower even in metric.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=749359&highlight=

[t3 kopf]

Did you also buy new drums from go westy? There are lots of reports of their drums needing to be turned before use. Not sure why they don't do that themselves before shipping them out, but maybe look into that if you bought gowesty drums.
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'90 Carat w/ '95 phase 1 EJ22 OBD2 conversion

[ELO78]

GW has a note about their HD finned brake drums on the product page:

[jschwerdtfeger]

Looks like it's the rear GW finned drums. GW says they'll break in after 500 miles, so I'll try that 1st.
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//JS

[t3 kopf]

By "break in" they mean they're making you use your new brake shoes to wear away the surface that they should already be turning themselves before they send them out to their customers. I wouldn't do that nonsense, I would just take them off and take them to a shop and have them turned.
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'90 Carat w/ '95 phase 1 EJ22 OBD2 conversion

[E1]

Typical GW.
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‘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

[Jake de Villiers]

Yup - half baked crap.
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'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
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