Brake caliper overheating

Topic: Brake caliper overheating - smoking! (Read 2051 times) previous topic - next topic

Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

January 07, 2013, 01:13:50 pm

2 days ago this caliper (drive axle, drivers side) got so hot lots of smoke was boiling out from under and I had fire extinguisher in hand. This has happened two other times on this caliper, but didn't get quite so hot. First indication is smelling the hot pad.
Two service shops have looked at it, didn't have parts (new caliper) and just lube the pins.
We are en route to FOT and I want to have it fixed properly there. I was considering disconnecting the service brake air line from that can so that it would not work when I apply the brake, leaving me with brakes on 5 wheels. But, after talking to James this morning, I am going to back the adjustment out so that the pads are away from that rotor. I didn't think to ask James about what the automatic slack adjuster will do. Will I have to back that adjustment out again after each day or two of driving? We are near San Francisco; so still a long drive to Nac.
Any other suggestions?
Dick

Re: Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

Reply #1 – January 07, 2013, 05:32:35 pm

Brake caliper overheating - smoking. I owned a 1993 Foretravel U280 diesel and after several occasions of the rear brake pads dragging and having to replace one disk, I found that the manufacturer marketed helper springs to release the pressure on those pads. The rear brakes have a large cylinder that applies parking braking brakes, making it much heavier than the front ones. After installing these helper springs one all four wheels I had no further problem with the brakes dragging. When we bought our present motorhome, a 1999 U 295, I had Foretravel install these helper springs on all four wheels. After 140,000 plus miles I have had no problems whatsoever with brake pads overheating and am still using my original pads and original disks. I hope this solves your problem.

Fixall

Re: Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

Reply #2 – January 07, 2013, 06:28:38 pm

Check the park brake spring too. That might be weak and allowing the calipers to rub too.

Re: Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

Reply #3 – January 08, 2013, 05:32:50 am

My 95 U320 sat for a long time and the brakes were frozen (guide pins). I shot some penetrating down the pins and let it sit. I then gave the caliper a few whacks with a 5# hammer and broke them lose.
I adjusted the slack adjusters and bought a thermo infrared thermometer from Harbor freight for about $30. When I drive the coach I get out at stops and take a reading with the thermometer aiming at the rotor. I'm instantly able to see when there is abnormal heat at the caliper indicating a dragging or too tight slack adjuster. All is well.

Re: Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

Reply #4 – January 08, 2013, 10:24:05 am

Suggest you use http://www.yelp.com or a like site to review shops that do brakes on large vehicles. While the brakes on your rig may seem complicated, to a decent brake specialist, they are much simpler that many of the other complex systems our rigs have.

Nothing against FOT, but there are many shops close to you that see a huge amount of brake traffic and can diagnose your problem very quickly. Besides looking online, go by a tour bus company or fire department and ask the master mechanic/shop foreman who are the good guys.

Pierce

Re: Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

Reply #5 – January 08, 2013, 11:54:47 am

Most firetrucks have meritor air disc brakes. I had mine done at Cummins in Roanoke. They understood them and can fix them too.

Re: Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

Reply #6 – January 08, 2013, 12:49:19 pm

Quote from: Dick S – January 07, 2013, 01:13:50 pm

We are near San Francisco; so still a long drive to Nac.
Any other suggestions?

Quote from: John S – January 08, 2013, 11:54:47 am

Most firetrucks have meritor air disc brakes. I had mine done at Cummins in Roanoke. They understood them and can fix them too.

John's post jogged my memory....

Dick - how about that place in SoCal that Barry just used? Sounds like they understood the brakes

Colton Truck Terminal Garage (was What did you do to your coach today)

Re: Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

Reply #7 – January 09, 2013, 12:41:25 am

I am stopping at Colton tomorrow.

Dick On Jan 8, 2013 9:49 AM, "Michelle" wrote:

Quote

Quote from: Dick S

We are near San Francisco; so still a long drive to Nac. Any other suggestions?

Quote from: John S

Most firetrucks have meritor air disc brakes. I had mine done at Cummins in Roanoke. They understood them and can fix them too.

Dick - how about that place in SoCal that Barry just used? Sounds like they understood the brakes

Colton Truck Terminal Garage (was What did you do to your coach today)

'03 U320 40'
'03 Honda CR-V
and the Posse

Re: Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

Reply #8 – January 18, 2013, 06:36:09 pm

We received prompt, competent, and reasonably priced service at Colton Truck. They capped off both air lines to that caliper and caged the spring brake. They jacked up the wheel to check the bearings and could barely rotate the wheel because the pad was still against the rotor. After prying the caliper open it freed up and I was on my way. I will drive to Nac with brakes on 5 wheels and get it repaired there.

Re: Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

Reply #9 – January 18, 2013, 06:40:54 pm

I do not think I would drive that far missing a brake. Couldn't they fix it there?

Re: Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

Reply #10 – January 18, 2013, 07:51:42 pm

I'm sure they could, but parts would have to be ordered and we needed to move along.

Re: Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

Reply #11 – January 19, 2013, 10:00:14 pm

San Francisco to Texas is 1500 miles, Thats a good drive, Be very carefull with only 5 brakes working,

I know about the distance, Because my Coach was delivered from Texas to California to the shippers and conversion factory,

Re: Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

Reply #12 – January 20, 2013, 03:14:42 pm

You might consider having the helper springs installed when the repair your brakes.

Re: Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

Reply #13 – January 20, 2013, 06:09:27 pm

I would change John's suggestion to a REQUIREMENT!

Re: Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

Reply #14 – January 21, 2013, 07:49:09 pm

Brett you are right but I figured I would be a bit less forceful.

Re: Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

Reply #15 – January 21, 2013, 08:11:05 pm

John,

It is such an inexpensive part (actually parts), and a very important upgrade for brake systems that are used "less frequently" that it is basically a no brainer.

Re: Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

Reply #16 – January 21, 2013, 08:16:41 pm

John & Brett, thank you both. Helper springs will definitely be installed. I would really like to have them all the way around. Will probably buy them even if I have to install them later.
Dick

Re: Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

Reply #17 – January 21, 2013, 08:20:29 pm

Is there any way to protect these slide pins from the elements? I talked to one fire department that "...finally only has Meritor disc brakes on the front axle". Too many problems was implied.
Dick

Re: Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

Reply #18 – January 21, 2013, 08:26:47 pm

Dick, the Meritor brakes are fine as long as one does the maintence needed, meaning cleaning the slide pins every year or so. Me, I would be happy with the older S Cam drum style brakes along with the retarder, the retarder makes either work much better.
Yes, problems with the disc setup is lack of care mostly.
Some think greasing the slide pins is the answer, actually the grease attracts grit/dirt, making for a sooner issue. Dry silicone spray seems usable.
Dave M

Re: Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

Reply #19 – January 21, 2013, 08:40:52 pm

Quote from: Dick S – January 21, 2013, 08:16:41 pm

John & Brett, thank you both. Helper springs will definitely be installed. I would really like to have them all the way around. Will probably buy them even if I have to install them later.

FOT should have them in stock - at least they were ordering stock when we were there in October.

If not, FinditParts has them for $17.66 per pair and there's a coupon code of NEW456 to save 10% as part of their redesigned website "celebration". Ours were drop-shipped direct from Meritor. We'll be taken them to Nac in the spring to have them installed.

KIT15018-MERITOR-KIT

Michelle

Re: Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

Reply #20 – January 21, 2013, 09:04:22 pm

Thanks Michelle, I just ordered the 4 kits for my coach along with the discount code.
Many Thanks
Dave M

Re: Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

Reply #21 – January 21, 2013, 09:15:33 pm

You're welcome, Dave. Obviously the helper springs aren't a replacement for good maintenance practices, but they're a very reasonable price for the additional peace of mind. Some things are worth a belt and suspenders.

Michelle

Re: Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

Reply #22 – January 21, 2013, 10:01:16 pm

What is sort of funny, Gary who works for us is also the Motor Sergent for the local Vol Fire Dept, he is familiar with the these disk brakes, so he went thru them when I bought the coach 4+ yrs ago, so he will install the springs, and sez the fire trucks could use them too. Just a non stop learning curve and I just found all the light switches, gosh this is good.
Dave M

Re: Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

Reply #23 – January 21, 2013, 10:22:25 pm

Helper springs installation ...is it necessary to remove the pins? I'm probably dreaming, but It sure would be easier if they can be spiraled on.

Re: Brake caliper overheating - smoking!

Reply #24 – January 21, 2013, 11:01:45 pm

I had four sets put on at Parliment this fall, suggested I need rear brakes and rotors on next trip as they had been "sticking" at some point.

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