Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: erniee on September 22, 2024, 09:45:45 am

Title: Right front brake
Post by: erniee on September 22, 2024, 09:45:45 am
Yesterday, driving down a steep grade, I applied the brakes. I heard a squeal from the right front. In about a mile, I was pulling into our destination in Golden Valley, Arizona and could feel a grinding on that same wheel. I suspect the pads are shot. I'm not able to do a front end brake job, but would be prepared with all the new parts needed for a mobile tech. Question: what parts should I order from the factory for my 2000-320-42?
Thank you, all
Title: Re: Right front brake
Post by: Pamela & Mike on September 22, 2024, 01:45:04 pm
erniee,

With out seeing the brake calipers, guide pins, pads and rotor it would only be a guess as to what it will take to fix it.  You can easily spend a couple of thousand and not need but $300 worth of shoes. The rotor still may be able to be turned and the guide pins be good and only need cleaning. So there is too many variables to give a single answer. Now I can supply you with a set of numbers that will replace everything brake related But I am sure you won't need them all.  To answer your other question you need to get parts from a truck shop or off the net. once you figure out what you really need.

Mike

Title: Re: Right front brake
Post by: Rudy on September 22, 2024, 01:59:34 pm
These are Meritor brand disc brakes.  If the slide pins do not have helper springs, order and install them with the new pads.  Helper springs should be on ALL brake pins.  If one needs to be installed, get them to install all of them.

Pushing the pads away from the rotor extends their life.
Title: Re: Right front brake
Post by: Pamela & Mike on September 22, 2024, 02:19:36 pm
One other thought to add to Rudy's comments, If the calipers got greased and not purged that can cause the grease that expands to overpower the helper springs even if you have them so check that also.

Mike
Title: Re: Right front brake
Post by: erniee on September 22, 2024, 05:21:49 pm
I guess I need a mobile tech around the Kingman area.
Title: Re: Right front brake
Post by: Michelle on September 22, 2024, 06:10:21 pm
I guess I need a mobile tech around the Kingman area.

The frequent recommendation when looking for a tech to handle brake work in an unfamiliar area is to ask at the local fire department who works on theirs, since those techs will likely be familiar with the Meritors on a Foretravel.
Title: Re: Right front brake
Post by: Caflashbob on September 22, 2024, 06:48:50 pm
I had a right rear rotor failure in Idaho falls. Had a shop remove that wheels air line and cap it off. A few miles to I15 then I drove it carefully home with three wheel brakes plus the retarder. Was a rear. Worked good enough to limp home.
Title: Re: Right front brake
Post by: turbojack on September 22, 2024, 08:13:28 pm
Asking for shop that works on Firetrucks.

I was told this when I was having problems with my brakes.  I found a shop that works on Firetrucks.  They didn't have a clue about the right grease to use. They didn't know about helper springs. Their quote to fix my brakes was to replace  rotor, caliper and every thing else with new.  They said that is what they do when any Firetruck comes in with a brake problem.  Took coach to MOT, problem was adjustment done by previous shop and new pins.
Title: Re: Right front brake
Post by: Bob McGee on September 22, 2024, 09:08:11 pm
My experience too. Fire truck repair place wouldn't investigate the issue and replace needed parts, just replace the entire unit/assembly. Maybe worried about liability?
Title: Re: Right front brake
Post by: erniee on September 23, 2024, 06:17:47 pm
Found a large tire shop/repair place. Owner checked everything out- could find no issues. He said I have plenty of pad thickness, no scaring of rotor. Location was about 5 miles from here and a few stops with absolutely no noise,  no grinding, and stops straight. I wonder if coming into Kingman on the west side with hard braking- lots of traffic and the cresting on the hill on 93 going down to golden valley, mire traffic could have heated the brakes? Never had this happen since my old Executive going dow Cloudcroft hill to Alamogordo heated those brakes up.
Title: Re: Right front brake
Post by: Dakota Slim on September 23, 2024, 06:31:02 pm
Troubling noises that disappear?
Maybe a wheel bearing?
Title: Re: Right front brake
Post by: Rudy on September 23, 2024, 06:34:38 pm
Did you learn if you have helper springs on ALL slide pins?
Title: Re: Right front brake
Post by: Pamela & Mike on September 23, 2024, 06:37:44 pm
erniee,

It could have been a rock from where the road was chip and sealed that got slung up into the caliper area. For sure keep a check on it as it could be caused from heating of the grease in the caliper.

Mike
Title: Re: Right front brake
Post by: erniee on September 23, 2024, 06:55:40 pm
There was a lot of loose gravel due to the deterioration of the road. Good point.