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Brakes maintenance? - Printable Version +- Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum (http://www.wanderlodgegurus.com) +-- Forum: Yahoo Groups Archive (/forumdisplay.php?fid=61) +--- Forum: WanderlodgeForum (/forumdisplay.php?fid=63) +--- Thread: Brakes maintenance? (/showthread.php?tid=2688) |
Brakes maintenance? - Scott Forman - 05-27-2006 03:45 I have done many things to my FC in the 15 months that I have had it, having touched just about every system on it. But I have not done a thing to the brake system. My brakes work great, and I guess the fact that they have not attracted my attention is a good thing. But is there regular maintenance I should be performing on the system? What about the brake shoes...how long do they last? Any tips? Thanks Scott Forman 82 FC35RB Memphis Brakes maintenance? - Stephen Birtles - 05-27-2006 03:56 Not being rude but take a course on airbrakes usually offered by your local DMV or community college A mine of information both educational and safety related also air brake handbook are usually offered by the localor state or provincial DMv with proper adjustment and depending on heavy your foot is I would hazard a guess at 100,000 mile minimum life on brake shoes Stephen 77fc35 --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@...> wrote: > > I have done many things to my FC in the 15 months that I have had it, > having touched just about every system on it. But I have not done a > thing to the brake system. > > My brakes work great, and I guess the fact that they have not attracted > my attention is a good thing. But is there regular maintenance I > should be performing on the system? What about the brake shoes...how > long do they last? Any tips? > > Thanks > Scott Forman > 82 FC35RB > Memphis > Brakes maintenance? - Jeff Miller - 05-27-2006 04:09 The brake mechanism needs to be greased when the chassis lube is performed, don't over-lube or it can contaminate the linings. The linings can be seen from under the coach. Brake drums can be badly checked/cracked if overheated, on a pre-83 you have no retarder so it is even more likely that someone has overheated the brakes using them to hold speed on a grade. Worth checking IMO. The '82 does have the automatic slack adjusters, adjustment shouldn't be neccessary. Shouldn't. It is a good idea to have the adjustment checked periodically, and before mountain travel it is common practice to adjust the brakes closer than the ASA does on its own. - Jeff Miller in Holland, MI --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@...> wrote: > > I have done many things to my FC in the 15 months that I have had it, > having touched just about every system on it. But I have not done a > thing to the brake system. > > My brakes work great, and I guess the fact that they have not attracted > my attention is a good thing. But is there regular maintenance I > should be performing on the system? What about the brake shoes...how > long do they last? Any tips? > > Thanks > Scott Forman > 82 FC35RB > Memphis > Brakes maintenance? - Gregory OConnor - 05-27-2006 05:44 Scott, Brake parts for air brake systems are surprisingly inexpensive. The rubber diaphragms are now made of compounds that holdup better and the plungerdiscs that contact the diaphragms would have less corrosion. ( a complete maxicam pumpkin unit cost $60.00.) The pumpkin guts are date maintained, not mileage. I run a leak down test twice a day in my work truck. If I see more leak down then I feel comfortable with (people tend to pump slightly and the valve is sensitive which will cause leakdown ), I use a length of 2x4 to hold the service brake on; I then release the parking brake; then I listen for leaking air at the pumpkins to determine if diaphragms needs to be replaced. The service brake fills a diaphragm as does releasing the parking brake. Any air at all I replace the pumpkin / maxicam. ( leak down allows for some loss but some loss on an old diaphragm is a sign of a hole) My mobile mechanic will do the job for service call plus $45.00. I will call her if I can line up more tasks than just that repair, other wise, it takes one hour and a half for me to do what she does in 20 min. The newer auto slack adjusters that keep the shoes close now work in a tighter increment. If you turn your drums you stand the chance that an over adjusted shoe will wear thin and cam past a larger opening. If a drum looks ugly I replace an axle set. I have shoes relined at a shop ($12.per shoe?) and change them often.( about 30,000 miles but whenever thin,) Stephen is so right, an air brake course will give you good safe info and scare you when you realize how little you were aware of prior. A master tech at Rider Truck sales in Ontario Ca, gave me an in shop one hour inspection and lesson on air brakes. The inspection is called a DOT and in California a PreBIT. Maybe you can find a good shop to let you walk through an inspection. Tom Mc a forum member holds a Class A License. He was required to pass a CA State test for his bus because it has airbrakes and is longer than 40 ft. RV's for some reason (prob a good lobbiest)that are air brake and 40' under are not required to be driven by a class A. Class A drivers must know air systems are given twice the points towards loss of license for driver infractions and that in itself makes for a more careful responsible driver. Gregory O'Connor, Class A - and I hold a Class A license Too pt40 Romoland Ca --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Stephen Birtles" > > Not being rude but take a course on airbrakes usually offered by your > local DMV or community college A mine of information both educational > and safety related > also air brake handbook are usually offered by the localor state or > provincial DMv > with proper adjustment and depending on heavy your foot is I would > hazard a guess at 100,000 mile minimum life on brake shoes > Stephen 77fc35 > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@> > wrote: > > > > I have done many things to my FC in the 15 months that I have had it, > > having touched just about every system on it. But I have not done a > > thing to the brake system. > > > > My brakes work great, and I guess the fact that they have not attracted > > my attention is a good thing. But is there regular maintenance I > > should be performing on the system? What about the brake shoes...how > > long do they last? Any tips? > > > > Thanks > > Scott Forman > > 82 FC35RB > > Memphis > > > |