Brake maintenance time for unknown PO swap

[ivwshane]

For my single cab I need to get the brakes in proper working order. However part of the problem is that my 70’s single cab was upgrade to disc brakes and I’m not familiar enough to know what to look for to determine which setup I need to follow in order to troubleshoot and fix.

So, in order to figure out what I have what components/part numbers/features should I be looking for?

I can post more detailed pics if needed so feel free to tell me what you need in order to help me. In the meantime this is the best pic I have.

As far as why I need to adjust/fix my brakes, I have the following issues:
None working emergency brake.
Very week braking power (the pedal seems fine there just isn’t any power behind it).

Oh and if it matters, I have a carbed type IV in this.
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77 westy 2.0 FI
69 ghia coup 1600dp
70 single cab

[Jeff Geisen]

I see no booster, just it’s bracket. There’s your trouble.
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I Corinthians 4: 1 thru 5

‘63 ragtop - ‘68 single cab

[SGKent]

tie rod lookie bent too. The brakes don't look connected. I see a booster, master cylinder and servo rod in your life, maybe more depending what else has been removed.

I suggest you learn how to use the VW fiche, and also the Bentley manual. Otherwise it will be a very long road. Or, hire someone like Robbie or Colin to make you a list.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[ivwshane]

Can you tell what year it is? Or were all disc brake setups the same? If they are all the same then I can use my 77 as guide to what I need.
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77 westy 2.0 FI
69 ghia coup 1600dp
70 single cab

[timvw7476]

the calipers for a standard '77 have two bleeders, both high & low,
so if you have that feature, you likely have Type IV powered bus calipers.
Also, as mentioned, the booster is missing from that empty bracket at right.
Also, you are missing the splash shield, unless you removed it for clarity ??
Your parking brake issue could be frozen adjusting stars, there are four in the
rear brake shoe system, two per side under rubber access grommets in the
rear backing plates. Those freeze up & the linings continue to wear & bingo,
no more parking brake. : (
That gets solved with drum removal & star extraction & re lubing the pockets.
+ star wheel adjust. You may also discover that the parking cables are
seized from lack of use, more re lubing or replacement.

[pioneer1]

When sorting out what part fits after 40 years of repairs I compare what I have in my hand to pictures from vendors web sites ie.brake shoes
_________________
"Always waiting for tomorrow ruined everything"

'85 Porsche 911 Targa

'76 Westfalia project

[Wildthings]

There was a change in the disc brakes between the '72 and '73 model year and there were two different brands of calipers used, with the ATE design being the more common.

[kreemoweet]

[Wildthings]

[ImAddicted]

[airschooled]

Build it as a ‘78 and you’ll always have spare parts for both

Are the rear rims still “wide five?” Nothing like carrying two spare tires...
Robbie
_________________
Learn how your vintage VW works. And why it doesn't!
One-on-one tech help for your Volkswagen:
www.airschooled.com

[ivwshane]

[SGKent]

[HarryFD]

This is where having a relationship with a qualified VW mechanic familiar with your era bus is invaluable.

If it was me (FWIW I like to think I am an OK DIY Guy), I would bring it to my mechanic, tell him my concerns, have him inspect my vehicle and make recommendations on the way forward. Included in the discussion for the repairs, would be things I could do vs paying him to do them. I often find out during these discussions that for a reasonable sum of money, I can have him deal with it and be assured it is done correctly.

I boils down to you a mutual respect and relationship.
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1970 Deluxe Sunroof Bay Brilliant Blue/Cloud White
1973.5 911 Targa
2009 MB C300

[airschooled]

Think this way, and this is an extremely general list from memory... Please jump in and make a correction if something isn’t correct.

Rims go:
-70
71+

Beams go:
68 (63?) to super early 70.
70
71-79

Spindles go:
68 (63?) to 70.
71-79

Master cylinders go:
68-69
70
71-79 (lots of small changes to reservoirs, boosters, and plumbing.)

Front brake setups go:
68 (63?)-70
71-72
73-79

Rear brake setups go:
68-70
71-79 (though there are small irrelevant changes that I am unaware of.)

///

From your picture, I can only see a 71+ beam, and some kind of 71+ disc brake setup. It’s hard to make a decision without knowing what you have. It may be easier to retrofit an early drum setup, or upgrade the rear to the narrow five setup. Having two different rims/hubcaps is whack; aesthetics aside you would have two different spares and proper tire rotation would be impossible. There may be pressure/hydraulic differences between the setups as well.

Consider the late bay proportioning valve is only available used, even from the best sellers...

Once we know what you have all around, your path will be more clear.
Robbie
_________________
Learn how your vintage VW works. And why it doesn't!
One-on-one tech help for your Volkswagen:
www.airschooled.com

[ivwshane]

Thanks! On my next day off I’ll take pictures of the front and back setups to see where I’m at.
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77 westy 2.0 FI
69 ghia coup 1600dp
70 single cab

[ivwshane]

Alrighty! Wheels are off and pics are up. Both tires are the same size 195r140 (I don’t know if that means the rear are(n’t) five wide). I see an upper and a lower bleeder screw on the disc brakes so it’s at least a 77 setup up front?

The rear drums require I remove the castle nut (which I don’t have the proper tools for yet) so they are likely to be an original 1970’s setup, correct? I may be wrong on this. I’m going to try and pull the drums.

So I know I need a brake booster but what about a master cylinder? Does this one look correct?

I would like to go to a later setup in the rears mainly for ease of maintenance. That would require new backing plates, drums/pads, and a new hub as well, correct? Anything else? Does the hub require a press to install?
Is there any reason not to upgrade to a later years setup?
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77 westy 2.0 FI
69 ghia coup 1600dp
70 single cab

[Wildthings]

Assuming your rears are '73 or newer they are the latest that were available unless you go to the Vanagon system with automatic adjusters, but which has its own problems.

You will want the weight sitting on the rear wheels when you go to remove the nuts on the rear axle unless you have an impact gun that is up to the challenge. Way safer that way.

[wagohn]

[Wildthings]