[Vwdiesel] Not Deisel, just brake bleeding hell on a VW bug question

[Patrick Dolan]

Bryan:

FIrst of all, bulging brakelines will NOT give you what you are experiencing.   As you have noted, pedal is firm.

You definitely have a travel issue.   How much free play before the pushrod hits the master?

Once you adjusted the brakes to slightly drag, did you drive the car at all.   Why I ask is that the adjuster is on one side, and does NOT necessarily move the shoe into the center when that end is rubbing tghe drum.   The usual deal is to adjust, drive with fore and aft braking, adjust again.

Finally, I think you might be missing a critical piece of diagnostic information.  9 x out of 10, I seem to recall most problems beiong directly related to the last person to work on the car.  Did the owner have the brake shoes replaced by any chance.  Also, keep in mind the owner will lie to you (either intentionally or out of ignorance) at about the same 9-10 ratio - 10 out of 10 if they are a DIY fixer.

I am wondering if the brake shoes are right.  Maybe your missing travel is in the tabs that engage the wheel cylinder.  Just a few thoughts before you throw in the towel.  Good luck.

Pat

----- Original Message -----
From: Bryan Belman <dieselwesty at yahoo.com>
Date: Friday, July 23, 2010 8:29 am
Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] Not Deisel, just brake bleeding hell on a VW bug question

> Well, after 10-15 hours working on this brake job, I have given 
> in.  The brakes 
> are not much better then before I started all of this.
> 
> The peddle needs to be pushed way to far down in order to make the 
> car stop and 
> I can feel the front brakes grabbing and pulling the nose down 
> when the brakes 
> kick in.
> 
> I was not able to check for bulging rubber brakes hoses, the short 
> ones in the 
> back.  The two rubber hoses in the front are new and look to be in 
> perfect 
> condition.  This could be it, but un-likely.
> 
> I removed the rear wheel drums with 1/2 breaker bar and pipe, no 
> issues, and was 
> able to free up frozen brake adjusters on both side, replaced 
> shoes as they were 
> worn a bit, cranked the shoes all the way back, cleaned it all up 
> and put the 
> drums back on.
> then adjusted them out to drag and backed off a bit.
> 
> Still, it seems as if the shoes have to travel to far to brake the 
> car, does not 
> feel like a spongy peddle at all.
> 
> There is a good VW, Mercedes and BMW guy in town that I will have 
> the owner take 
> the car to and I am sure he can find it with the car up on a 
> lift.  I sure will 
> be anxious to find out what the issue was because Everything I did 
> seemed to 
> have no effect.  Her 38 year old master cylinder was not bad, but 
> no a big waste 
> of money to change that.
> 
> Beaten down in NJ.
> This is one of the few time I have conceded to the VW gremlins.
> 
> 
>  Bryan Belman, Pt. Pleasant, NJ
> 04 Jetta Wagon TDI PD, 100hp, 5sp -- running :)
> 92 Jetta 1.6 Eco-Turbo Diesel -- running :}
> 82 Diesel Westy 1.9NA -- running :)
> 70 Type 1 stock Beetle -- Not running :( 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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