Re: [T3] Brake calipers

["Dave Hall" <dave@hallvw.clara.co.uk>]

Unfortunately now you have a broken bleed screw, you have a problem.  You could
either unbolt it and bleed it while holding it upside down and using the other
screw (don't break it too!), which is easy if you don't get continuing problems
of air in the hoses, or you will have to get the screw taken out - it needs care
but a good brake place ought to be able to do it.  The later calipers with 3"
spacing on the bolts are harder to find, but likely to be original spec if you
can find one.  The earlier ones may have slightly smaller diameter pistons.

You could swap sides to leave the OK screw on the top, but the pistons need
turning too so the cut out meets the rotor in the same orientation as they had
before, or the pads wear unevenly.

If I've remembered the history wrong, and your bleed screw is fine, sorry, or
rather, lucky you!

For loosening bleed screws, clean off the surface rust with a fine wire brush,
put a little easing fluid (liquid wrench etc) on the exposed thread and leave
for a day.  Get a 7mm 6-point socket that fits it nicely, and try tightening
just the tiniest fraction first - you need a feel for this - then try to undo it
a fraction.  Work out if it has moved or not.  If you're not sure put a bit more
fluid on and leave it another while.  Don't rush it.  If it's clearly very
rusty, you may need to do a proper job with heat, and change the seals too.

Jim Adney rebuilds them if it's possible - you might like to trust him with them
if the shipping isn't too bad.

As as been mentioned, new hoses sometimes solves the problem.  If you have a
bleed screw working, you can tell a lot from the rate at which fluid flows out
when loosened.  It should drip freely with the screw undone one turn.

Dave.
UK VW Type 3 & 4 Club
http://www.hallvw.clara.co.uk/
------
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <BOB2TYPE3S@aol.com>
To: <type3@vwtype3.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 5:17 AM
Subject: Re: [T3] Brake calipers


> In a message dated 8/2/05 9:18:28 PM Eastern Daylight Time, jbrig@enter.net
> writes:
>
> <<  have a siezed brake caliper on my '73 fastback. I was able to open it
> with
>  a screw driver, but it locks right up again when I step on the brake pedal.
>  I removed the caliper hoping to work it open and closed and maybe free it
>  up. It closes perfectly, but will not release. I pried it open and
>  reinstalled it. When I tried to bleed it, the bleeder valve snapped right
>  off! Should I just replace the caliper? I really don't know how old it is.
>  What brand of caliper should I buy if I do replace it? Where should I get it
>  from? What other parts need to be replaced along with the caliper? >>
>

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