I am needing to find a QUALIFIED service establishment to rework my calipers and other parts of my brake system. I believe I have Meritor brake parts. I am enroute to the. west via Indianapolis I-70 almost to Denver (Pueblo) and south on I-25 to Las Cruces and then to Tucson.
I am interested in all input regarding poor braking. I think that I may have been using the retarder Too much.
Regards
I believe Roland used some one in the indy area recently.
Jon- I believe Hal Burns truck repair just south of Santa Fe on I-25 would be a good contact. I have not used them for brakes but they do a lot of work on trucks, buses, RV's, etc.
505-471-1671 14 Camino Charro Santa Fe, NM 87507
Davis Burns is Hal's son who is running the business now.
Best of luck.............. ^.^d
Jon,
I've had good luck with Stewart & Stevenson in Denver (Commerce City). I haven't had them do brake work but there are always fire trucks there being worked on. Always a good sign. The work they have done for me has been excellent. If you call for service ask for bus service.
see ya
ken
Jon,
The excessive use of the retarder could lead to brake pad glazing. You can try to correct that by turning off the retarder and concentrate on firmly applying the brakes whenever needed.
Early on in out FT ownership someone told me to do what Brett suggests each time we start driving for the day. Retartder off and when it is safe a couple firm stops with just the brakes to deglaze then and warm then up. This is also good so that you have a feel for how your barkes by themselves work stopping your coach. Drive as if your retarder is off within the capacity of just your brakes. Leave lots of room ahead and drive defensively.
I used to use the retarder almost all the time, but recently I have been turning it off when I am on mostly flat roads. Brake applications are a lot smoother without the retarder. I also step hard on the brake pedal with parking brake off before driving to set the slack adjusters. Most SOB's of our size don't have retarders. We should be able to do an emergency stop without the retarder. Definitely use it in the mountains and hills if the road isn't wet.
If you are reworking all four calipers, make sure the shop has the capacity because this will take a lot of labor. I need to replace the bushings and slide pins, so the whole brake needs to be removed including the slack adjuster, pressure chamber, caliper, etc... I was going to do it myself, but am looking for a trusted shop around the Pottstown, PA area.(near Philly).
I had good luck at a Kenworth truck on 309 South of Coopersburg North of Quakertown. I had a caliper hang up and it warped the rotor before I caught it. At that time service writer was familiar with the clay based lubricant. I believe he worked in the bus yard in Philly. Good luck