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Meritor Spring Kit

Quote from: Dave Head –
I spoke with him yesterday. Inspection revealed near perfect brakes. Why go through the labor expense to install with nothing else wrong.

          Dave Head is exactly right. There was very little wear and the slide pins and brakes were clean other than some brake dust. Couldn't justify spending 2-300 bucks a wheel just to install the springs. I will check them annually and when they get to the point that they need maintenance then I will revisit the springs.

                                    Dean
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270

Re: Meritor Spring Kit

Reply #1 –
I urge you to reconsider and have those helper springs installed when cleaning those pins. I found replacement pins on eBay for under $50 each.

I had the front driver side brake dragging just a little - got smoking hot on two different trips. Pounded on caliper to clear it but became fearful of another brake dragging, worried on every trip. I cleaned all the pins and replaced the four lower pins when installing the helper springs (yes I did it myself). The lower pins were pitted, one was very bad. Other folks on this forum have reported brake pads worn at a taper such that one end is worn out and the other end is almost new, particularly on the rear. Replacing all pads and calipers is not cheap while helper springs are cheap.
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Meritor Spring Kit

Reply #2 –
Agree Wyatt, it also provides a great time to clean the pins too while investigating the overall condition.  Just a quick look, finding the pads & rotor in good shape is just the start of the check / servicing.
I feel your better off saving money on wax & cleaners than the spring kits.

Re: Meritor Spring Kit

Reply #3 –
Quote from: P. Wyatt Sabourin –
I urge you to reconsider and have those helper springs installed when cleaning those pins. I found replacement pins on eBay for under $50 each.

I had the front driver side brake dragging just a little - got smoking hot on two different trips.


Same brake dragging.  Absolutely install the springs IMO.  You will sooner or later.  Less future issues as Wayne mentioned.
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Meritor Spring Kit

Reply #4 –
                   I understand the potential issue and as I said previously I could not justify the $1000.+ fot would have charged me to install them then. The brakes looked nearly new and had been properly serviced by the p.o.
        I DO plan on installing them myself at some point while at home where I have the time and tools when the slide pins are due for cleaning.
          The reason I put them up for sale was because many folks seemed to be installing them at the time and I figured if I was not going to use them then someone else might be able to. Guess I forgot all about the classified listing until this thread popped back up.

              Wayne at FOT is obviously not a fan of the springs and he claims that the original intent of them was to reduce caliper rattle. I have to say that the springs are much lighter than I had expected so I believe they may help but the cleaning of pins and regular brake maintenace is just as important.

                        Dean
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270

Re: Meritor Spring Kit

Reply #5 –
Well these pins were a meritor TSB item.  Cummins called them and they said we needed them after my front brake seized.  I had pulled and cleaned the pins not even a year prior. Not a big deal but I would put them on at the next leaning and service.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Meritor Spring Kit

Reply #6 –
John, I donot run the miles you do , however whrn I purchased the coach, we went thru the brakes cleaning routine reassembled woth dry silicone spray, fore or five yrs later went thru them again, found everything inperfect order, pins needed cleaned and installed the spring kit when reassembled. In that time the mileage ran up 49K miles. Yes the retarder s used in the normal fashion ;D

Re: Meritor Spring Kit

Reply #7 –
I think it is some of the roads you run down too. I get to put a bunch of miles on and some of it is not on the best or cleanest roads.  I think that is a factor as well.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Meritor Spring Kit

Reply #8 –
John,  Do you think the fuel mpg will increase with the brakes not dragging ?

Re: Meritor Spring Kit

Reply #9 –
Not much but the risk of fire will be a lot less.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Meritor Spring Kit

Reply #10 –
I doubt that it would be possible to measure the reduced MPG when my front driver side brake was dragging, however MPG is definitely reduced because of the heat produced. Guesstimating the number of BTU's produced and calculating the amount of fuel would be possible. The smell and heat is what I noticed. When I pulled into a paved parking with a slight slope, the motorhome would not start moving when the brakes were released. After pounding on the caliper, the motorhome would start rolling when the brakes were released. I had previously parked in this lot and noticed the tendency of the coach to start moving with the brakes released.
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada
 

Re: Meritor Spring Kit

Reply #11 –
Quote from: John S –
Well these pins were a meritor TSB item. 

I recall reading that as well.  Does anyone have the text of the TSB (Technical Service Bulletin)?
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320