AoT's White Wonder

[AoT]

Well I thought replacing the rear brake line was the solution to the rear fluid compartment going dry and copious amounts of fluid on the DS floor. Was in the process of bleeding the brakes and they were very soft. Saw the fluid puddling again on the floor under the pedal cluster and the brake fluid is dripping out of the rubber boot that the plunger runs through.

Guess the master cylinder is shot or is there an easier fix? Here i was all set to take the wonder out next week but dont see this fix happening right away.

[AoT]

Just spent 5 hours getting the garage organized so that i get the wonder inside for the winter. Added some new storage over the rafters to put the camping equipment. I feel like i live in a shoe box sometimes. Big yard little house.

Would like to get her on the road for a good run but the mc is shot so will look to get that done after the new year.

Took advantage of the great weather and got the house decorated too.

Good day's work.

[Glenn]

A BIG house is just more to clean.

[Raj]

Nice Audrey. More storage areas are always good!

[AoT]

Been trying to get the wonder under cover for a few months. Between the storm and holidays it got delayed but today was its lucky day. Got the garage cleared out and gave it a quick wash to get the surfacd dirt off. It needs a good wash and compound come spring.





One of the things taking up floor space in the garage was a desk my daughter made for her boyfriend for Christmas. He has been living here since his house got wiped out from Sandy. She wanted to replace one he lost from water damage.

She picked a design and we got all the supplies. I helped cut the wood but she did all the sanding, staining and poly herself. We put the oak veneer on the cut edges and used black threaded pipes and flanges for the support legs. The file cabinet is resting on a platform to raise the desk height and has a spot for the cpu to get it off the floor. Desk is 24x52.



It really makes me happy that she has an interest in learning how to use tools and not afraid to get her hands dirty!

[Tom]

Maybe you can get her to change the mastercylinder ?

[AoT]

had a rude awakening today. Last night when I started working on the bus I smelled gas but the lawn service had just done a clean up and I figured it was from their machines. This morning when I went to get some tools the smell in the garage was strong. I took a look under the wonder and their was a 24" stain under the front end. I wasn't sure of its origin but saw a good steady drip and needed to take some caution. Since the front end is lowered I took some time getting the jack and stands in place. Once done I could see the lower end of the fuel hose line going into the hard line that runs under the bug was wet. Seems that the clamp had loosened up. Once tightened and cleaned up it is staying dry. I haven't touched this in about 1 1/2 years and the bug has been sitting since the summer.

Just one of those things....Glad it happened in a stable environment and not splashing gas as I drove.

[Glenn]

1-1/2 years.. .you should dump the gas and use fresh when you start it up.

[Raj]

Nice catch. Good it was at home, and even better that it was the front hose vs engine side.

[AoT]

1-1/2 years.. .you should dump the gas and use fresh when you start it up.

The same gas has not been in the tank for 1 1/2 years. I meant that the hose line was connected and clamped in the summer of 2011 after I resealed the tank. Prior to getting the car on jacks today i had started to siphon out the gas since I need to get under to replace the master cylinder so the majority is out.

[Big_kid]

Might as well check out the engine side of it too while it's drained.

[AoT]

After the bus, moved over to the bug.

Got it jacked up and gave everything a blast of PB to loosen up the brake lines. the rear was only replaced last fall when I thought that was causing the leak. I was able to crack the line that goes to the front DS but the front PS is not so lucky. I took the wires off the switches but I think I am going to replace the switches. I had bought some at a show about 4 years ago but I can't find them in my parts stash. I am thinking to replace both of the front lines while I doing the switches and this way all will be new. The soft lines were done back in '09 by GA so they are good.



Need to order some parts! Want to get this back on the road. It got sidelined when I was trying to get the bus on the road.

[Raj]

nice... I miss this little car. She was the ole' faithful!

[AoT]

Giving the wonder my all this weekend and it paid off. Got the old master cylinder off and cranked on the new brake switches to the new MC. Getting those VW muscles back to work!! The old one looks like the original and the switches were on solid. Glad I didn't have to try and get those off.



I had cut the lines the other day and the fittings going into the soft lines were pretty (g)narly!


Got the new MC installed and the line to the rear brakes is already in place. The front lines are order and hope to get those beginning of the week to get them installed.



Glad I got this hurdle cleared!!

[Tom]

Was it MC leaking of was it just bad ?

[AoT]

Was it MC leaking of was it just bad ?

It's been leaking. I thought the hard rear line had rusted out but after that got replaced the floor was still pooling fluid. When I took the MC out yesterday the boot was torn and cracked. Thought that was adding to the problem but then reading on the Samba that rubber boot is only a dust cover.

After I got the MC started on the threads but before it was snug I got the rear line attached to give me some wiggle room. That was a bonus.

[AoT]

When i removed the MC, the lines from the reservoir to the plastic nipples were just snugged on. Should there be any hose clamp to secure? Also is this special tubing since I see blue under the coating and I read something about blue brake line. Is this a local auto parts item?



I had to stop reading the threads on the Samaba about MC because lots of people were complaining about them leaking. Good vibes for me I hope!!

[Glenn]

the hose is special.

[AoT]

Ordered new front brake hard lines on Friday afternoon at 4PM and they were delivered today at 2PM. thanks WW!

Got the lines installed after work today and everything is all snugged and tight. All that's left is the lines from the reservoir and bleeding the brakes. The rear DS tire has had a chronic slow leak so going to drop that off to have the seal/beading checked. Then do an oil change, charge the battery and hopefully put some miles on this puppy!

It has been a long 9 months getting this project addressed, but all things considered it was not that bad once I got it started. It was that big bad storm that got me derailed.

[Raj]

happy to hear she will be back in time for summer!

[Brown]

the hose is special.

As are you!!

[Glenn]

the hose is special.

As are you!!

If you only knew how much.

[AoT]

Changed the oil in the Wonder today which was over due. When putting one of the nuts back on, one of the studs bailed on me. I have another stud to use from when the bus had this issue, I can advance the stud back in by rotating but I cannot get it to rotate out. I am using vice grips and it hangs up. I don't want to do any damage so whats the deal to get this bad boy out? The threads on the stud are now compromised and it wont take the nut anyone even as a place holder.

My options?

[Glenn]

One of the 6 is a bolt. It's the one closest to the front.

Is the case OK?

[AoT]

One of the 6 is a bolt. It's the one closest to the front.

Is the case OK?

Laying under the car with my feet out the rear, it is the one that is at 11. Each nut came off with a copper washer and it did not take much to loosen them so it is not as if I severed it. There is the big bolt to drain. I have it back together and filled it with some oil to see how bad it will leak but I would like to correct if I can. Case looks fine. Old oil was dirty but the screen was clean just some build up on the strainer ring. I did not see any hardware or metal when I emptied the old oil to a container to dispose.

Do I just need to put more more weight on the vice grip and see if I can it to budge or it is a bigger issue? Don't want to create a problem trying to get this out. Thx.