[T3] Brake Calipers

Tue Aug 9 13:58:17 PDT 2011

When I pulled the bleeder, looked as if the inside end had no hole.  I put caps on the prior calipers, so will see if they are still there so at least the tops have caps.  The lower bleeders are already rusted into place.

I pay extra attention, but did not consider the twist to be an issue as not mentioned in the Bentley or "Look and Listen".  If I do not feel something is right, I used to take it in, but the shop only made it worse.  Think now only option be Jack.

I figure they should be locked, but could not get both the flathead and the hammer under there.  Guess could check it now and then.

Shoes were used before removing, but had to install new wheel cylinders and some hardware the shop lost.

Thank you,
Adriel

> From: dave at hallvw.clara.co.uk
> To: type3 at vwtype3.org
> Date: Tue, 9 Aug 2011 10:42:13 +0100
> Subject: Re: [T3] Brake Calipers
> 
> The bleeder cap is to keep wet and dirt out of the hollow bleeder screw.
> You should get one if you ever find one is missing, but a piece of tape is
> fine to seal it until you can get one.  Water in there might rust the bottom
> of the screw and make it impossible to unscrew without breakage or more
> often seal up the bleed hole so it doesn't work.
> 
> While engine work going wrong will just be an inconvenience and bodywork
> will just look bad, brake work being done wrong can kill you and others you
> may hit.  Do make sure you really understand how to do a job, and read all
> the manuals you can find to make sure you don't make mistakes like kinking
> hoses.  Obviously you won't make that one again.
> 
> The lock tabs should be bent up to stop the bolts backing out, though it's
> probably unlikely if they are torqued correctly.  "Belt and braces" they
> call that.
> 
> New brake shoes will take a bit of adjustment when they wear in.
> 
> Dave.
> UK VW Type 3&4 Club
> ===================
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: type3-vwtype3.org-bounces at lists.vwtype3.org
> [mailto:type3-vwtype3.org-bounces at lists.vwtype3.org] On Behalf Of Adriel
> Rowley
> Sent: 09 August 2011 04:02
> To: type3 at vwtype3.org
> Subject: [T3] Brake Calipers
> 
> 
> Decided to attempt to drive the Squareback down to Imperial Beach this
> afternoon, but did not start well.  Finished a Summer class last night, and
> have been burning the midnight oil for several nights in a row, then getting
> up around seven thirty.  So, accidentally slept until noon, but guess once
> in my life will not hurt me. ;)  Got right to her, but could not get the
> home made brake bleeder to work.  So, repaired it with R.T.V. adhesive, and
> needed to dry.  Tried to get to the rear adjusted, but since I have a heavy
> load in the back, could not quite get in the right position.  Then thought I
> park it in the drive to be safer.  Nope, battery died down while away.  Try
> to find a extension cord to reach it, and find none.  See the neighbor that
> has a '67 Beetle talking to another neighbor, and go ask if they have one to
> lend.  Neighbor has one, happy bring it home, plug one end in, and realize
> it is a few feet short.  This is just not my day.  Get the idea to check in
> the Christmas stuff (hands were now clean) and found one just barely long
> enough.  Plug in the charger, and it is not humming.  It is a unit I pulled
> out of Jack's trash, and figured out the meter does not work, 6 volt circuit
> maybe no good since that is the only circuit he needs, and a bit corroded
> from being left out in the rain.  I cannot complain, because been working
> fine, so will leave it alone until I need to fix it; saved me $50. ;) 
> Anyway, so figured it had died, but grabbed the volt meter, and found no
> voltage leaving the unit.  So, feel under the seat, and dos not feel like it
> is connected.  Shift the load around, and get up the seat to find it is
> disconnected.  Connected it, but still not working, then dawns on me there
> might be a way to test if power is coming in.  Checked, and the case is
> grounded, so used that and the incoming power terminal, and found no
> voltage.  Apparently when I went in the house, forgot to plug it back in. 
> Duh!  Did that, and check again, and all was good.  Going to leave it over
> night on trickle, and see if that lasts me a while.  
> 
> With the battery charging, went and checked the bleeder; still needs time to
> cure.  The pedal was not pressurizing the system, so thought was due to lack
> of fluid getting into the calipers.  Had fluid on the right, but not the
> left.  Checked the bleeder valve, and realized it is basically a threaded
> plug.  So then why do we put caps on them?  When I had to attach the hoses
> to the calipers prior, the hoses got twisted.  Thought nothing of it at the
> time, but suspected it today.  So took off both calipers to be sure both
> were kosher.  Forgot the bleeder on the left was open, and soon as I got the
> hose straitened, had a mini geyser.  Let the air bleed out even though was
> the wrong side, but figured it would not hurt if I bled it again after the
> right.  The pad clip was pushing the pads inward, so repositioned it so the
> clip was on top of the pads, not between it.  Mounted it on the caliper on
> the disk, and went in for lunch.  Came back, and the pressure bleeder was
> still not cured, so decided to to try and learn something new: gravity
> bleed.  Opened the bleeders and let them sit for about fifteen minutes to be
> sure there was no air in the system.  While waiting, reinstalled the
> calipers, but could not get the bottom tabs to bend onto the bolts due to
> lack of clearance.  Bolts properly torqued, so alright to leave the bottoms
> unlocked?  
> 
> Seemed there was very little air in the system, especially the left.  The
> right at first had old DOT-3 or 4 in it, so made sure it drained out.  The
> lower bleeders were rusted to the caliper body, so left them.  Figured if it
> is not broken do not fix it. ;)  Pedal felt good, but seems the rear shoes
> might need adjusting soon.  Do the shoes need to reseat after they have been
> reinstalled? 
> 
> Did noticed the left caliper is a bit tighter than the left.  I used a paint
> can to hold the pedal down, and both grip the same.  Thinking just quit
> being paranoid and leave it.  Calipers are not original, as the lock plates
> were not locked, and there was anti-seize on the bolts.  Pads also look new,
> so will leave them and install the ceramic ones later.  No use wearing out
> quality pads grinding down rust. ;)
>  		 	   		  
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