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Uh oh, squeak from rear, dragging brake disc?

August 19, 2011, 11:44:19 am

We're in the mountains but brakes haven't been overused, descending cautiously as I learn the coach, using lower gears and retarder which is working marvelously.  I did notice a persistent squeak from driver rear headed into campground and I'm wondering if I have a dragging brake.  Just had check, purge and lube at FT prior to this trip. 

Reading the exhaustive Meritor info, I'm finding it hard to figure out what the "minor inspection" is they refer to but do not describe.  Can anyone give me some ideas on basic checks I can do to see if there is a problem?  I see the slack adjuster travel should be 3/4-7/8 inch when moved in with a prybar.  Is there a way to ascertain that the pads are retracting properly in the field without disassembly or removal of wheels?  We're many miles away from any service facility. 

It could be something other than brakes but what?  I'll check for grease leaks at rear axle, anything else I could check? 

Thanks, Chuck

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Re: Uh oh, squeak from rear, dragging brake disc?

Reply #1 – August 19, 2011, 01:40:23 pm

You could shoot the disks with an IR gun (or your fingers)  after driving and not using brakes. Pad not retracting will give higher temp on that disk. Could also be a rock, road debris thrown up. Could try backing and then apply brakes hard. Have had that work. Yeah, I know it is hard to get under the rig to check it when on a road trip.

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Re: Uh oh, squeak from rear, dragging brake disc?

Reply #2 – August 19, 2011, 02:07:18 pm

Chuck, you need to have the calipers serviced as soon as possible, they need to be purged of the old grease( someone probable used the wrong grease) and reset with the correct grease
(Meritor A1779W283) clay based grease.

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Re: Uh oh, squeak from rear, dragging brake disc?

Reply #3 – August 19, 2011, 03:08:05 pm

Chuck,  If you have a HOT wheel and suspect that a brake is dragging you can do this:
Using a hammer or a stout rod or somethin similar tap on the ends of the slide pins , there are two at each wheel.  If caliper is hanging up it does not take much to make the disc's hot. While you are under there tap on the caliper itself, it should be loose on the pins.  Use an IR thermometer to see which one is hot.  Even with limited clearance you can get far enough under to reach these pins.  This may not work but its worth a try. And Bill W is right, get the calipers checked and CORRECTLY serviced ASAP.
Gary B

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Re: Uh oh, squeak from rear, dragging brake disc?

Reply #4 – August 19, 2011, 07:51:50 pm

Appreciate the suggestions, happens I have both an IR thermo and a hammer.  On my list of things to accomplish is to learn how to service these brakes from A to Z myself.  I had this done at Foretravel, as I had unwittingly lubed with wrong grease just after getting the coach.. Never any ill effects from this but told the service manager and they did purge the old stuff out with the clay based grease and performed a full brake inspection which it passed with flying colors. I just crawled under and checked the travel of the actuators, looks to be in spec so if there's a prob it's most likely slide pins.  They are dry with no signs of lube whatsoever.  As long as I was in the neighborhood went ahead and greased chassis and driveshaft on the long shot that that's the squeak source.

  I assume slide pin greasing requires caliper removal?  Anybody know and recommend a shop in Durango?

Chuck

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Re: Uh oh, squeak from rear, dragging brake disc?

Reply #5 – August 19, 2011, 07:57:49 pm

It is not unheard of for the rear brake to drag but it is usually the emergency brake. We leave ours on much more than a truck does and the spring gets weaker.  I have found the first thing I check for the rear brake is the emergency brake first.

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Re: Uh oh, squeak from rear, dragging brake disc?

Reply #6 – August 19, 2011, 08:59:48 pm

Chuck, Don't grease the pins.  That will attract dirt and just make things worse.  Meritor recommends cleaning them and putting them togeher dry If I remember correctly.  I do spray them with a dry silicon lube from time to time.  Read the Meritor instructions.  It sounds like you have them already properly lubed and adjusted and you should not have to do anything to them for a long long time.
Gary B

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