vw beetle 1968 brakes

[chrisgrant]

hi having problems with vw beetle 1968 all round drum brakes. have fitted all new brake lines hoses single circuit master cylinder new brake cylinders and shoes. have now bled the brakes on numerous occasions but still the pedal seems soft ,for all the brakes are working and locking up and the fluid comes squirting out no probs when bleeding them cant understand it . can anyone help.

[dougielogan]

Make sure you start bleeding furthest from the master cylinder then work your way towards it, might help.

[thundercrack]

hi, I was told that you should adjust all the brakes up tight, then bleed and slacken the brakes off until the wheels can just be turned by hand. with drum brakes don't expect perfection.hope it cures it.

[Blueflame]

How many miles have you driven since you overhauled the brakes ? The new linings need to "bed in". You need to do a couple of hundred miles and then see how things are.

[chrisgrant]

still have only driven car round the block.i have still got to mot it but do not think it will pass with pedal being so soft. i have nothing else to change on the brakes but was wondering if there should be some kind of non return valve from resovoir to master cylinder.

[Blueflame]

No there isn't a non-return valve as such. I appreciate that you can't run in the brakes without an MOT. If the wheels are locking up I think that I would risk an MOT test even with a soft pedal ( If you can explain to the tester exactly what you have done, it may help ) Incidentally, I m a bit surprised you have a single circuit master cylinder. Good luck anyway.

[chrisgrant]

thanks for your help brakes are still locking up ok. acording to cool air a 68 beetle should have a dual circuit master cylinder,but this one had a single circuit one on it and i just replaced it with the same one do you think this would affect them.

[Blueflame]

To be honest if it were my car I would fit the correct master cylinder. Do you have a VW owners club near you ? If so, join and talk to like minded people. Also get yourself a workshop manual.Sorry I can't be more helpful,but I haven't worked on a Beetle for years and the memory's going ! In the early 80s I had a 1968 1500 (front disc brakes standard) which I think was one of the best models. Good luck with yours and don't hesitate to post more questions, I'll help if I can.