We've enjoyed 15k trouble free miles (165k total) in the nearly 3 years we've owned OleRed, our 2000 U270 34'. In this years annual service I asked for wheels to be pulled and entire wheel/brake assembly to be checked. Plenty of pad "meat" but pad material cracking and in worst case actually falling apart. Fortunately rotors not damaged. Rotors being turned and all new seals, bearings and associated parts being replaced. Should be good for another 20 years. Safety peace of mind...priceless.
There is no material left that would be safe. The pads are much thicker. Look at first post in the link. Had 100,000 miles at that time.
helper springs (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=31008.msg271462#msg271462)
Hi Randy. We recognized your coach at the shop when we picked up ours on 12-20. Glad you asked for the wheel-off brake check. Our coach was there for 90-days for a long list including major bulkhead work and also a full brake job. We will call before the show to see if we can meet up at RV Supershow. We will be staying at a hotel as I messed up and did not get reservations in time.
Randy,
That's a nice big wide open shop with lots of clean working room around the coach. Where is it located?
I wonder about how much it cost to do this for each wheel?
That is Paul Yasbeck's shop in Leesburg, FL. We were there right after the Florida Foretravel Christmas Rally in Orlando to have our Aqua Hot repaired because of heavy sooting. We had to do something as we were on our way to see kids for Christmas in cold TN. Paul had lot's of work going on and does it himself. Just glad he was able to work us in on short notice. The shop is beautiful and well done with a huge concrete parking area to boondock on when waiting for service. Randy's coach was still outside when we were there, waiting for service.
Now would be a good time to put the helper springs in.
Wow Randy, good call! I was impressed with the shop Paul has and the amount of equipment he has at his disposal. Spent a few minutes with him on "why no" employee's, etc. However, he is a man on a mission! Works crazy hours!
Happy New Year Al & Tauna!
Hard to say...several variables will affect the bottom line.
What is the shop "labor" rate? How bad are the brakes (rotors, pads, pins, seals, bearings)? How many new parts will be required. Do you want "Helper Springs" installed? Who will supply the new parts?
Try giving Nacogdoches Motorhome Service a call. They won't rip you off on labor time and they charge a fair price for parts. They should be able to give you a estimate for a "standard" job.
Nacogdoches Motorhome I RV Service and Repair (https://nacogdochesmotorhomes.com)
Took our coach over 170,000 miles and only replaced the pads at 165,000. Used the retarder extensively. Rotors needed nothing . The right front pads needed to be replaced but while everything was off we had them do all corners.
About $1.5 CB per wheel. Rotors turned (no previous scoring) and
all new parts (brakes, seals, bearings, etc.) and synthetic fluids. As long as it's this far apart I wanted everything new. Did airbags and shocks when we bought it so should have minimal issues underneath and we plan to put on some serious miles over the 10+ years we plan to own it.
Regardless of what we spend in the years we own this coach we'll have less than 50% invested compared a new rig that would be less than half as good the day its driven off the lot.
So how dificult would this be to DIY it and how much then per wheel?
It's not very difficult at all from a technical standpoint. If you desire to pull the hubs and change bearings and seals like floridarandy did, it can be a bit heavy. If you are in no rush and have the tools, it's simple and the parts can be found much cheaper if you spend some time on eBay looking for excess stock.