[Peter]

Sounds like something I should get smarter about. I watched some videos on how to cage spring air brake chambers. They all seem to use caging bolts. Does one need a caging bolt for our brake chambers? If yes where do I get them?

Gerald

[Archived]

All brake chambers come with one on it. Depends on the style of chambers as to if you have to actually install it or if it is already in place.

[Dick]

There are multiple reasons to cage a brake. Peter cites one example where it is necessary. Another reason might be because the air pressure used to retract the parking brake spring is leaking due to a failed diaphragm or seal. Whatever the reason just knowing that is an option is something to keep in mind. I am sure some coach owners have been convinced they needed an expensive tow because they were not aware caging was an option.

Caging a brake means instead of relying on air pressure to push back the spring that applies the parking brake, it is being done mechanically with an internal screw, or a “T” bolt that is stored on the brake chamber

The only concern everyone needs to be aware of is that caging a brake requires someone to get under the coach. That’s not a big deal, especially since access can be made easier by using the level low to raise the coach. But as we have said often, getting under the coach without chassis supports is dangerous. Once you are in between the wheels under the coach there is room to sit up and work and as long as you avoid pinch points it is probably not very dangerous. Just understand that getting to the open area between the wheels is where there is a risk. A secondary risk is that on brake chambers with the external T bolt the bolt head must be properly seated because if the bolt should slip the spring that is being retracted could release suddenly, and while it is unlikely to cause harm, you will need to change your shorts.

If a binding brake is the cause, the brake does need to be caged so the caliper orslack adjuster can be readjusted to release the brake that is binding.

Anytime a brake is caged you have lost one of the parking brakes, and if the service brake is the problem and it has to be taken out of service by plugging the air line you will have lost one of the service brakes so be aware you may be driving with a compromised brake syste, At that point your driving should be limited to going to a service facility.

[Archived]

Peter…

Sorry that you had the problem, but very glad you were able to catch it and temp fix to get you down the road. You headed back to Jeff’s or have someplace on your route to get it done??

Travel safe…

[Dick]

I will do it at jeffs waiting for parts this morning, thanks for your concern

[Billy]

Peter: How far from Jeff’s were you?

Do you use Pressure Pro with tire temp indicators? Would the heat from the stuck caliper have shown up on the Pressure Pro?

Tom: Would it?

[Archived]

Yes if Pulse monitor, no if the standard monitor until it reached 200 + degree’s. Whether the wheel was hot enough to trigger the Pulse is unknown, since Peter was only 17 miles into the trip.

[Corey]

17 miles with a dragging brake, depending on how tight it was is ample distance to do some heat related damage. It all depends on how tight the dragging brake was.

Just so everyone is aware, if you need to move the coach when there is no b rake pressure to release the parking brakes, the bus engine has enough power to over ride the brakes. If only one brake is dragging, even if it is fully spring applied you are unlikley to noitce it based on how the coach feels or drives. That is one reason why it makes sense to use your IR gun to check not only tire temps when you are at a rest area, but also to check wheel or hub temps.

[Will]

By the time I got up to the coach was probally 20-30 minutes…I shot the rotor and it was 300 degrees, the hub was only 160…a good pair of gloves would of been nice with everything that hot….Caliper shows no real signs of the heat, however change it as we know it got hot…Good catch by Peter always watch your coach..gauges and in mirrors you can see area around wheels..

[Archived]

Peter was extremely luck and vigilant. The vigilance goes without saying. From personal experience with a very large fire in the rear he was lucky he saw smoke. I had to be alerted to the fire by a trucker. There was no clue in the mirrors or the camera.

[Archived]

Just drove 800 miles today all good with the two new drive axle calipers no heat and all the brakes work great

Just a heads up for you guys the next time you get coach serviced make sure they check the slide pins and lube them if you have never done it on the calipers it’s one reason it will stick and could cause a fire if it goes very long , my old ones where good but one slide pin was not as smooth as the others , I had lubed the pins 20,000 miles ago and check them every time I service the coach , I doubt that very many motor home coaches have ever had the pins lubed unless there was a problem with the brakes or calipers , just a HEADS UP guys get them checked out next time

[Archived]

I just want to thank Jeff Rowe and crew they are the best thanks for all you did they are the best I would not take my coach any where else. THANKS BUDDY !!!!!!!

[Archived]

Found that on 98 the hard way. the rubber boot had a hole in it. Bob

[Bill]

Update , I replaced the other four calipers two on tag and front , both tag axle calipers the boots for the big slide pins had big holes in them but they where still sliding free , so glad I replaced them , you could also just replace the slide pins and put new boots on them , I did them at the ranch and Trina did most of the work!!!!! Jeff !!!!

[Mike]

What do you lube them with that will stand the heat?