1961 VW Beetle - Getting a FIRM Brake Pedal - 157

This is the 157th video on the 1961 VW Beetle with 65 pan. In this video I have issues with super spongey brakes where the pedal at times goes tho the floor without locking the wheels. I change cylinders, bleed brakes and adjust them multiple times to finally get a FIRM brake pedal!
Adjust, Bleed, Jam on Brakes, Adjust, Jam Brakes, Adjust, Jam, Adjust - and voila - FIRM PEDAL!
vw, volkswagen, beetle, bug, bus, transporter, type 1, type 2, split, splitty, engine, motor, 1961, 1965, 1968, 2332, standard, deluxe, paint, primer, wiring, harness

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

I would recommend using a flare wrench on the bleeder screws, not a adjustable wrench.

[@LarsonSplitBus-]

Yes! Ok where do I get one? Ok, I found something on Amazon. Adjustable wrench is a bad match - I broke a bleeder screw and that caused several hours of rework…

[@graemerowe264]

​@LarsonVW available from any reputable auto parts store.

[@Mikefngarage]

the thing I find is people dont adjust the ebrake with the brakes adjusted first. Loosen the ebrake cables. Then adjust the brakes. then bleed the system with the brakes adjusted. Then adjust the ebrake cables.

[@LarsonSplitBus-]

Hmm, you are right - I adjusted the ebrakes before my final tweaking of the brake pedal. I did finally get things working well, but it took at leas 3 times. I will keep that in mind next time I adjust brakes!

[@mickeywagner2413]

Hey Mike do you have a video for adjusting the ebrake cables. 😊

[@LarsonSplitBus-]

@@mickeywagner2413 about 2 minutes in is the initial install of the ebrake cables ua-cam.com/video/WfcxMHBEP8U/v-deo.htmlsi=aK_Qz-lJ8s6BChNJ

[@AngelRosario]

Great job, thanks for sharing! I may be tackling a similar project on a 74 super beetle and this is helpful 👍🏿

[@LarsonSplitBus-]

Mine is still not totally firm. It is WAY better though. I think the main thing is the combination of no air in the brake ones AND adjusting all 4 brake shoes with the adjusters to be close tolerance from the drums, so the travel distance isn’t too far on any one shoe. If you have one shoe that is really far from the drum, it takes a lot of fluid in that cylinder before it hits the drum…

[@pskauto6798]

My man, that was an air powered vacuum bleeder . Lol ❤ I won't pick on you too much

[@LarsonSplitBus-]

It didn’t work the way I thought it would. Oh well - I wasted 20-30 bucks

[@pskauto6798]

@@LarsonSplitBus- connect your air compressor to it and it'll be the best leader you ever had! I use a Professionally every day. Gonna use it on a 67 bug tomorrow . I too am by myself most days so it comes in clutch