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

[Bryan Belman]

Sounds good, the peddel pludger seems to be about 1/2 inch out and should be 1/4 
before it hits the piston socket, so could try that as well as double checking 
all wheels.  I took the car back to her on Thursday night and have not gotten 
any response to wanted to give it one more try before she pays a guy in town $85 
an hour to do the same thing?  I will call her later today.
thanks

 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 :( 




________________________________
From: Tony and Lillie <tonyandlillie1 at earthlink.net>
To: Patrick Dolan <pmdolan at sasktel.net>; Bryan Belman <dieselwesty at yahoo.com>
Cc: vwdiesel at vwfans.com
Sent: Sat, July 24, 2010 11:46:26 PM
Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] Not Deisel, just brake bleeding hell on a VW bug 
question

Brian, as Patrick mentioned, double check that master cylinder adjustment. I've 
worked on quite a few Old Bugs recently, and that and the shoe adjustment are 
the only things that caused long pedal travel, where it got hard at the end of 
the travel. If the pedal was spongy or sinking, that would lead to somthing 
else. But, what you have described is just an adjustment somewhere. I usually 
adjusted the shoes to where they slightly drag on each one, and don't back them 
off. If I did, I always had a slightly low pedal. However, don't make them too 
tight either, as they will tighten even more and start draging once they heat 
up. I never did undedrstand this, as the drums should expand, but I guess the 
shoes expand even more.

Tony
----- Original Message ----- Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] Not Deisel, just brake 
bleeding hell on a VW bug question


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