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Disc brake compatibility
Does anyone know if a disc brake setup off of a 97 XL would work on my 92 XL? If so, how much trouble is it to swap? Straight bolt on or modifications required? Then… Is it worth it? Is there enough difference in stopping power to warrant it?
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15 Replies
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I cannot answer the question but if you can get some measurements of the differential housings on each type you will likely have the answer. Both use the same pattern on wheel studs, but the drive axle shoes I think are 10″ wide along with the wide drum so the differential carriers might be different lengths. I can’t remeber either well enough to guess if the brake chambers mount the same. The vintages you talk about both use 30/36 combo chambers, but the caliper might require a different position than the “S” cam type drum brakes.
To make the change it might just require a full differential swap or maybe nothing more and to swap drum parts for disc parts. I do know the hub seals are the same so the bearings and machined parts are at least all the same diameters.
As to stopping, I think disc brakes are better but I have no data or proof to suport that. Prevost certainly does, but I doubt if they will share that information. The most effective improvement in braking in my opinion has come from the retarder compared to a Jake.
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When did they introduce the retarder? I’m assuming this is for the trans?
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I don’t know the year the retarder became available. It is part of the transmission
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I can’t speak to the ease of a mod, but the brakes on my ’99 (steer and tag discs, drive drums) seem far superior to the all drum setup on my old ’89. Obviously, I also have ABS on the ’99 and have used it once. The ’89 didn’t need ABS—it was virtually impossible to lock the brakes.
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Thanks ya’ll. That gives me some info to start. I’m buying a bunch of parts off of a wrecked bus, and noticed it had discs. I’ll let ya’ll know what I find.
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Dale, I’m looking for radiator/CAC assembly from a 97,98 or 99 model XL. PM me if there’s one left over. It’s the setup where the CAC sets on top of the radiator.
Thanks,
Ken
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Jon said, “I don’t know the year the retarder became available. It is part of the transmission.”
This is something that could be part of Prevost reference document or database or page.
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Ken, there are actually two XLs being parted out that I am working with. One in Cairo, GA and another in Guntersville, AL. Have you spoken to either of these guys? If not, I’ll see what they have. I’m actually going down to Guntersville in the next couple of days. This one has just come up so should be a good source.
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Dale, What year are the coachs and were they converted , if so by who looking for interior parts for a Marathorn Thanks
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One is 97 and the other is 98. Both were entertainer coaches, so probably not much help for interior parts.
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I have a Prevost brochure from 2000, and the transmission retarder was an option, as was the Jake brake. Can’t tell you how much earlier the retarder was available. The retarder is essentially a pump in reverse. It takes hp to drive a pump, the retarder takes hp from the rear wheels to drive the pump. According to those who know, it works better than a Jake, and has more adjustment.
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Mine has a Retarder and a Jake in a 2000 chassis.
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6 speed trans with retarder 1995 vintage
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If Retarders work better than the Jakes I have in mine that’s saying something. If you drive ahead and watch, I need very little brakeing. Retarder and Jakes, double Wammie.
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A retarder is extremely effective compared to a Jake. If used aggressively however it puts a real heat load on the transynd.
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