What's this for?

That looks like the original brakefluid reservoir with a non correct cap. Where is the current brakefluid reservoir?

J.

They may have replaced the M/C with one having a reservoir on top.

This cat page shows the original parts:

That would be going back in time, as opposite to retrofitting :-P The M.c. with a resevoir on top is old, cant remember exactly the cutoff= =

year.

J.

HaHa! Yes, you're right. It's done on newer ones now, such as for buggies. Would sure make it a challenge to fill or even inspect on a Beetle though...

Jim

Thanks, guys. I was wrong. This one is connected.

The left front brake drum is dragging badly. Can't drive a block. I'll power-bleed the system and flush it all. Would you guess offhand that the brake cylinder for that wheel is shot?

Now before y'all call me stupid, lemmie to it first. I'm STUPID. Actually, premature. Didn't want to crawl under in the rain but I finally did.

One more question - there's this thing in front of the left seat, like a round thing about this wide, see? And it's got a big button in the middle that makes a noise when I press it. What's it for? The big round thing I mean. I know the other is to call in the cattle. Pretty cool.

The dragging is more likely a blocked flex hose; they swell up inside as the rubber ages.

You will want to replace *all* the brake hoses; they are now....ummm.....half a century old! (The wheel cyls may be too for all we know.)

Jim

It could simply be badly adjusted. Or the brake hose to that wheel could be swollen inside. Try opening the bleeder screw and close it quickly, if this removes drag you have a swollen brake hose. The next time you pump the pedal you will force the brakefluid past the swelling, but it will not return to the m.c. when pedal is released, hence the drag.

Crawling in the rain is never fun..

The big round thing is actually the tuning knob for the Intergalactic radio, it is recomended to a setting of 42.

J.

As I recall the Intergalactic radio is properly called an electronic subeither device.

Jeff DeWitt

Gawl Dern it! Fifty years and already somethin goes wrong! I tell ya, I'm never buyin a Volkswagen again.

Thanks for that Jim. It didn't occur to me. Replacing the hoses is easy and pretty much a fun job.

It was fine when I parked it four years ago. :)

Funny, but that's the first thing I did and yes, the drag went away until the moment I put the brakes on.

Thank, P.J. and Jim.

Aw, it weren't so bad. I was too drunk to walk anywho.

Wow! It figgerz! There's a number 42 on the big clock right in front of the big round knob. I'll try it!

now this i gotta call bullshit on....you quit drinking years ago.

I was at a Studebaker tech tip meet one time and someone came in with a

Turned out the problem was the brake hose... the original, fifty year old brake hose.

They just don't make them like they used to!

Jeff DeWitt

Aw, Chris, but it's a good line. Why spoil it with reality?

And that's the only thing about the old Bugs that spooked me when I learned it. But I'd put up with it if I could find a Splittie I could afford. NO! Strike that. One I could afford would be handed over in a potato sack of rust and dust.

For you, Jan - it's 46F here. Last week we had bad frost. Cheers!

well, John, it *is* the internet.... you can be anything you want...hehe

Correct... they used to make cable operated brakes before they (VW) switched to hydraulics :D

Jan

When did VW switch to hydraulic brakes?

It varies with what country and wheter standard or deluxe. Start here:

That should spell Whether...

J.