Don,
As you have probably learned the hard way, the rear brakes on the
Vanagon have a major impact
on pedal feel.  In other words if your rear brakes aren't up to par your
pedal will feel spongy or have a
major pulse to it.  I was going to email you when I saw your post that
you were going to get your rear drums turned.
I have tried this in the past and even though the drums are in spec, I
have had problems after turning them.
The main problem is that back in the day, when everyone turned their
drums and they had drum brakes, they would
not only turn your drums but also radius your shoes to match.  If you
don't do that then you have a rather small
area of your shoe touching against the drum and you will not get as good
of a pedal as you could have.
If I am going to do anything to drums I replace them now with new ones.
New drums, new shoes and you are good to go.
A worn out or turned drum with new shoes that aren't radiused to match
and you are going to get trashy pedal.

I have a econo drum that had made in China for $45 each plus shipping
(251609615OP).  I have used these myself on customer's vans
and they are fine.  I am sure that the German ones are better in some
way but these are decent and the price is right.

So either find a shop that can match your new shoes to your turned drums
or get new drums.  That is my advice.

Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com

Don Hanson wrote:
> On Sun, 28 Sep 2008 06:17:23 -0700, Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET> wrote:
>
>
>> I replaced the rear shoes on my 84. SBS shoes now.  Had the drums turned,
>> they are within spec.  Replaced one wheel cylinder that was weeping.  Bled
>> the
>>
>
> <<Snipped>>
>
> using the brakes...Anybody?
>
>>  PS: My brake MS is relatively new..last March..My fluid was replaced at
>> the time of the new brake and clutch cylinder..
>>
>>  Don Hanson
>>
>
> I just realized that the hydraulic cylinder I've replaced two times in my
> van is really the clutch MC, not the brake.  Do the symptoms I've tried to
> describe sound like maybe my brake MC is problematic?
>
>   I'm getting a little short for time, having a trip to Utah coming next
> weekend, so I want to get the van 'finished' and correctly.  I could see
> snow on the trip, so I want the brakes working without any unexpected or
> unpredictable behavior.  Should I throw a master cylinder at the
> problem..and should I go for the high priced spread MC or is the "european
> copy" gonna be ok for a poor fella (now) who is not a "Van-atic" owner?
>
>   Don Hanson
>
>