Brakes maintenance?

[Scott Forman]

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

[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
>

[Jeff Miller]

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
>

[Gregory OConnor]

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"
wrote:
>
> 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
> >
>