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Topic: Brakes...it’s Age not Miles (Read 912 times) previous topic - next topic

Brakes...it’s Age not Miles

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.
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: Brakes...it’s Age not Miles

Reply #1 –
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
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Brakes...it’s Age not Miles

Reply #2 –
Quote from: floridarandy –
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.

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.
Michael Hayley; Barry Brennan
2001 U320, 36', IFS, build #5909
Buster and Shelby, (Boxers)

Re: Brakes...it’s Age not Miles

Reply #3 –
Randy,

That's a nice big wide open shop with lots of clean working room around the coach.  Where is it located?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Brakes...it’s Age not Miles

Reply #4 –
I wonder about how much it cost to do this for each wheel?
Former 2003 GV U295 (6230) (2015 - 2025)
Former 94 GV U225 (2013-2016)

Re: Brakes...it’s Age not Miles

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
That's a nice big wide open shop with lots of clean working room around the coach.  Where is it located?

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.
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Brakes...it’s Age not Miles

Reply #6 –
Now would be a good time to put the helper springs in.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Brakes...it’s Age not Miles

Reply #7 –
Quote from: floridarandy –
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.

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!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Brakes...it’s Age not Miles

Reply #8 –
Quote from: propman –
I wonder about how much it cost to do this for each wheel?
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
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Brakes...it’s Age not Miles

Reply #9 –
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.
Larry
1996 U295 36'
Build # 4805
Actually we sold it but just like to lurk

Re: Brakes...it’s Age not Miles

Reply #10 –
Quote from: propman –
I wonder about how much it cost to do this for each wheel?

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.
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: Brakes...it’s Age not Miles

Reply #11 –
So how dificult would this be to DIY it and how much then per wheel?
 
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired
 

Re: Brakes...it’s Age not Miles

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Bob and Julie –
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.
1998 U270 34'