78 Westy Bus Swerving Left Under Braking

Post by **Amskeptic** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:40 pm

vwlover77 wrote:Nope. Still living with it. It's manageable but still bugs me. I still suspect the rear brake shoes. Their wear pattern would indicate they are not fully contacting the drum on either side.

Tap brakes quickly and firmly at slow walking speed with hands off the steering wheel. If the wheel kicks, it is in the front. If the car lumbers left, it is the rear.
Colin

vwlover77 · Post by **vwlover77** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 5:37 pm

It must be the front. Definite wheel movement to the left on firm, quick braking.

bretski · Post by **bretski** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 6:21 pm

Were you ever able to determine if the caliper is working properly? I have an extra rebuilt one if you're interested...

iwantmybustorun · Post by **iwantmybustorun** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 10:15 am

Amskeptic wrote:
vwlover77 wrote:Nope. Still living with it. It's manageable but still bugs me. I still suspect the rear brake shoes. Their wear pattern would indicate they are not fully contacting the drum on either side.
Tap brakes quickly and firmly at slow walking speed with hands off the steering wheel. If the wheel kicks, it is in the front. If the car lumbers left, it is the rear.
Colin

Haven't had a lot of time to look into this more but my issue seems to be a stronger pull left when I am traveling at highway speed and more gradual at walking speed.
Does the amount of brake dust build up on the wheels shed light on a possible problem. For example my driver's side front wheel has a lot more dust build up then the passenger side wheel.

RSorak 71Westy · Post by **RSorak 71Westy** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 10:53 am

Your drivers side is dustier because its working harder than the passenger, causing the pull. Are you sure the passenger side brake hose is not restricted.

chitwnvw · Post by **chitwnvw** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 11:05 am

RSorak 71Westy wrote:Your drivers side is dustier because its working harder than the passenger, causing the pull. Are you sure the passenger side brake hose is not restricted.

I replaced those hoses and it helped quite a bit. It's an easy fix. A little tougher, although not too tough, is to rebuild the caliper. Local flap had a kit.

iwantmybustorun · Post by **iwantmybustorun** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 11:10 am

RSorak 71Westy wrote:Your drivers side is dustier because its working harder than the passenger, causing the pull. Are you sure the passenger side brake hose is not restricted.

Ya that is what I thought.
Yes I'm sure it's not them. I replaced them last year when I had the same problem but worse. The flexible hose on the driver side was completely clogged up and even caused the brake to lock up while driving. The problem went away for a while but is comming back now.

chitwnvw · Post by **chitwnvw** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 11:18 am

Did you bleed the whole system at that time?

iwantmybustorun · Post by **iwantmybustorun** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 11:31 am

chitwnvw wrote:Did you bleed the whole system at that time?

yes. there is no softness or signs of air in the system and i flushed the old stuff out with new fluid.

chitwnvw · Post by **chitwnvw** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 11:58 am

iwantmybustorun wrote:
chitwnvw wrote:Did you bleed the whole system at that time?
yes. there is no softness or signs of air in the system and i flushed the old stuff out with new fluid.

I was thinking more along the lines of gunk or crud clogging your new hose. I'd take off that caliper and see if that piston(s) is/are seized.

RSorak 71Westy · Post by **RSorak 71Westy** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 1:23 pm

I certainly be looking hard at the passenger side something is not allowing it to work like it should.

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78 Westy Bus Swerving Left Under Braking