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Wesman976 Samba Member
Joined: May 27, 2016 Posts: 21 Location: Vero Beach, FL
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Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 6:40 pm Post subject: 71 Super Brake question - New Owner |
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So, my lovely wife bought me a 71 super for my 40th B-day. It's my 3rd bug. It's an autostick but that's on the schedule to get switched out eventually.
Issue is that it had barely any brakes. I replaced the passenger side and the wheel cylinder as well. It leaked clean fluid as expected.
Problem: the driver's side looked old and decrepit, and the wheel cylinder had old dirty fluid in it. When I disconnected the brake line, no fluid drained out on the floor. Any ideas where the stoppage may be? Should I replace the line or the master cylinder? Anyone had a similar issue?
Thanks in advance!! |
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joeyk803c Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2014 Posts: 102 Location: United States
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Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 7:48 pm Post subject: Re: 71 Super Brake question - New Owner |
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The rubber hoses break down over time and could cause it. Check the rubber line first. |
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[email protected] Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2003 Posts: 4863 Location: Harmony, PA
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Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 8:23 pm Post subject: Re: 71 Super Brake question - New Owner |
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Do yourself a favor, and replace EVERYTHING with rubber in the brake system. Master, wheel cylinders, and rubber hoses. Replacing components piece by piece will have you chasing your tail until everything is replaced. |
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TheAmazingDave Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2013 Posts: 788 Location: San Jose, CA
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Posted: Sun May 29, 2016 12:13 am Post subject: Re: 71 Super Brake question - New Owner |
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^I went a bit further and replaced everything except my hard lines (because they're in good shape and clean); from the reservoir to the bleeder nipples. I got tired of having brake problems and constant failures on my 71. It was worth every cent. _________________ Just call me Big D. (formerly xBigDx408x)
TheAmazingDave.net
Deutschland Dubs 2015 at Presidio Trust |
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Goldbug3318 Samba Member
Joined: September 06, 2014 Posts: 210 Location: Jacksonville, FL
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Posted: Sun May 29, 2016 4:14 am Post subject: Re: 71 Super Brake question - New Owner |
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[email protected] wrote: |
Do yourself a favor, and replace EVERYTHING with rubber in the brake system. Master, wheel cylinders, and rubber hoses. Replacing components piece by piece will have you chasing your tail until everything is replaced. |
What he said!! _________________ 1971 Super Beetle 1302S
1641 DP, lowered, 914's, etc...
1990 Ford Mustang Coupe
2008 Ford Mustang Coupe
2003 Chevy Corvette |
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Derek Cobb Annoying
Joined: March 11, 2004 Posts: 2565
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Posted: Sun May 29, 2016 4:59 am Post subject: Re: 71 Super Brake question - New Owner |
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That old, dirty brake fluid has damaged every rubber and metal line in the system. Time to refresh it all. The parts aren't expensive, the task isn't hard and the penalty for a failed braking system could be very, very high. Just get it all. |
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[email protected] Samba Member
Joined: May 17, 2003 Posts: 4863 Location: Harmony, PA
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Posted: Sun May 29, 2016 4:31 pm Post subject: Re: 71 Super Brake question - New Owner |
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TheAmazingDave wrote: |
^I went a bit further and replaced everything except my hard lines (because they're in good shape and clean); from the reservoir to the bleeder nipples. I got tired of having brake problems and constant failures on my 71. It was worth every cent. |
Yeah, that's basically what I was meaning. If shoes aren't worn, or soaked with brake fluid from a leaking cylinder, I would reuse them. And if the drums haven't been overly machined, and the braking surface is in good shape, you could reuse them. But yeah, rubber reservoir hose master/wheel cylinders, and all the rubber flex hoses will give you a fresh start to a properly working system you now know the history of. I like the TRW/Varga Brazilian brake cylinders for good quality inexpensive parts, or FTC, or ATE for a little nicer/more expensive stuff. |
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