[Vwdiesel] one to puzzle over

[Val Christian]

> everything was fine.  Then, in the ensuing days, a
> persistant squeaking started from the driver's side
> that went away when I pushed the brakes or hit the
> e-brake.  I took the rear brakes apart several times,
> checked the rear bearings, replaced the rear rubber
> brakes lines, and even replaced a spindle or stub axle
> or whatever you call it.  Sqeaking's gone now, but I
> can't hold 75 mph on the flat.  I've also pulled apart

If drag's the problem, you'll be producing heat somewhere.
Find the heat, and you'll get close to the source of the
problem.

This is turning into another shameless pitch for a passive
IR gun.  I bought a Raytek one for about $150, but Sears
now has a lesser unit for $50.  It'll work just fine for
what you need to do.

Mine will detect the difference in temperature across a tire
tread, from which one can deduce alignment issues.  In the
case of a brake dragging, one lightly dragging brake caused
a 20 degree differential on a tractor.  Immediately found and
corrected.  It's the bees knees for evaluating cooling system
problems.  On the airplane, when we have a mag check failure,
we just run the plane on the rough mag, and then check the
exhaust manifold of each cylinder.  Instantly, we know which
cylinder and also which mag, and end up pulling just one
plug, instead of 12.

Barring a better diagnostic tool I'd look at your backing plate
on the drums, and make sure that the shoes are sliding nicely.
On the fronts, I'd check the caliper retainers and make sure they're
OK, and the bushings and pins are in good shape.

Good luck.

Oh, did I tell you about the ice cream parlor we went into, wearing
white lab coats and our passive IR gun?  Checked the temps on everything.
	"Yep, Ice Cream Association Accreditation Evaluators."
	"How large is your large?"

Val