Disk Brakes

Topic: Disk Brakes (Read 1340 times) previous topic - next topic

Disk Brakes

October 25, 2016, 03:29:56 pm

I need to work on my disk brakes they don't grab very well and I want to replace old pads they are 20 years old and I'm sure they are extremely hard. So on my 96 U 320 what info do I need on front and rear Meritor disk brakes to order parts?

Re: Disk Brakes

Reply #1 – October 25, 2016, 04:27:04 pm

I gave the part store FleetPride my front and rear Meritor axel numbers. They figured out the brake pads.

Re: Disk Brakes

Reply #2 – October 25, 2016, 05:35:25 pm

Foretravel gave me a part # Kit15625pm for a set of pads, sound right?

Re: Disk Brakes

Reply #3 – October 25, 2016, 05:43:27 pm

I wouldn't buy any parts just yet. If you are only noticing that your brakes don't grab as quickly as you like, the problem could be as simple as your slack adjuster being out of adjustment. Download the Meritor manual and look at the procedure to tighten it.

Re: Disk Brakes

Reply #4 – October 25, 2016, 07:52:07 pm

How do I get the correct manual? here are some pictures does this look familiar to anyone ?

Re: Disk Brakes

Reply #5 – October 25, 2016, 08:00:22 pm

Barry has the Meritor technical:brakes:start [ForeForums Foretravel Motorcoach Wiki] maintenance on his site. When the slack adjusters are too loose, you end up with your exact problem of not having enough initial grab (I made mine too loose the first time I adjusted it and had to tighten it up after driving). They are supposed to be "automatic" slack adjusters which adjust themselves but after 20 years and minimal maintenance, they need a little manual adjustment.

Edit: that is a good shot of your slack adjuster in the first 3 pictures. Probably would be good to grab some cans of brake cleaner and put a plastic tub underneath to catch all the crap and clean them up.

Re: Disk Brakes

Reply #6 – October 25, 2016, 09:59:17 pm

X2 on cleaning them up, also looks like the brake pins could use some attention as well.

Re: Disk Brakes

Reply #7 – October 25, 2016, 10:19:55 pm

What air pressure does your coach show on the dash gauges?

The D2 controller on ours was too low.. less brakes.

Changed the part to a 110/130 one and it was a noticeable help.

Separate from the correct condition of the brake parts of course.

Re: Disk Brakes

Reply #8 – October 25, 2016, 10:34:23 pm

The surface of the rotor in that last picture looks suspect. I don't know if it's just the camera angle or not but it looks wrong from here. If you read through the manual there is a measurement of how far the slide pin sticks out to gauge brake pad thickness but really I would suggest pulling the wheels and checking brake pad condition.

Re: Disk Brakes

Reply #9 – October 26, 2016, 12:11:50 am

Quote from: rsihnhold – October 25, 2016, 08:00:22 pm

Probably would be good to grab some cans of brake cleaner and put a plastic tub underneath to catch all the crap and clean them up.

Robert, or anyone else:

I have been thinking of finding a product to clean some of the grunge off of some of the grunge collecting areas in the engine compartment. I have also heard of using carb cleaner, gasoline, and acetone. Are any of those products better or cheaper than brake cleaner? Is there another product that might even be better?

I do have one of those small Ryobi presssure washers. Would that be useful for cleaning the really grungy (on low pressure)? What product would be best for mixing with the water to clean the grunge?

I also have one of those air pressure devices that can use a fluid product with air for degreasing areas. Would that possibly do a better job?

(Another reason I am planning to put my RV on safety stands for the Winter.)

Thanks,

Trent

Re: Disk Brakes

Reply #10 – October 26, 2016, 12:17:49 am

Original gunk works great. Be cautious with a pressure washer.

Re: Disk Brakes

Reply #11 – October 26, 2016, 08:00:36 am

If your brakes haven't been serviced regularly, I recommend having an expert Meritor tech service the brakes while you watch. I've always had FT service my brakes every two years. No components have needed replacement in 165,000 miles.
To clean engine, spray gunk, let soak, brushing thick areas, spray off with hose at low pressure(the hotter water the better). Repeat until clean. Or take it to a Cummins shop. They clean engines all the time.

Re: Disk Brakes

Reply #12 – October 26, 2016, 08:16:28 am

Strong cleaners are strong on plastics and rubber too. For most degreasing, regular citris or simple green works pretty well.

Tightening slack adjusters is simple. It used to be part of required education for CDL. Remeber there is a latching pawl/collar you have to release if you tighten too much. I usually make sure that is free first then snug up on the slack adjuster and back off slightly. Parking brake must be released when doing it.

Other problem could be glazed up rotors. Drive with retarder off and do some heavy stops from high speed.

Re: Disk Brakes

Reply #13 – October 26, 2016, 10:15:01 am

Great info I have been looking at Berries info and pictures and I think I will order pads Kit 15625PM $187 for fronts and same for rears and will install helper spring Kit 15018 4 kits $ 65.00 I Think it will be around $465 free shipping and the pin maintenance is something I will do regularly. ? Any other suggestions also rear rotors are fairly new not many miles 3 years ago. Also in Barrie's pictures it shows changing pads on a U320 he used a support to loosen lugs, What is that thing? This photo was Phil Bostrom

Re: Disk Brakes

Reply #14 – October 26, 2016, 10:31:21 am

Get one or two sets of the pins. The chrome pits on them. You can grind the bubbles off, but its good to have a set or two just in case. You'll probably need them.

Re: Disk Brakes

Reply #15 – October 26, 2016, 10:33:56 am

Check Ebay for pins,found a set for $80 a few months back.

Re: Disk Brakes

Reply #16 – October 26, 2016, 10:35:33 am

Quote from: prevostart – October 26, 2016, 10:15:01 am

Also in Barrie's pictures it shows changing pads on a U320 he used a support to loosen lugs, What is that thing?

There is a label on it hope someone else knows where to find one. It would have made it much easier to torque my lug nuts. I used my son to hold up the end while I torqued.

Re: Disk Brakes

Reply #17 – October 26, 2016, 11:20:45 am

I keep reading how to adjust brakes and I can't quite get it, It talks about length of rod and clevis , Is there a simple explanation on setting slack adjusters ?

Re: Disk Brakes

Reply #18 – October 26, 2016, 11:41:32 am

Actually yes there is an easy way. Block your wheels, build air pressure and release parking brake, remove the adjustment stops 3/4" plug on the side of the slack adj that keeps the adjuster from backing off, then turn the square adjuster until the pads are tight to the rotors then back off 1/2 turn replace the adjustment locks your done that should give about 1 1/2" of slack. NOTE do the front first to get comfortable with it you don't need to realease the parking brake to do the fronts and they are eaiser to get to.

Re: Disk Brakes

Reply #19 – October 26, 2016, 12:10:57 pm

Quote from: craneman – October 26, 2016, 10:35:33 am

There is a label on it hope someone else knows where to find one. It would have made it much easier to torque my lug nuts. I used my son to hold up the end while I torqued.

I'm also interested in the lug nut wrench support device.

Thanks,
Michael.

Re: Disk Brakes

Reply #20 – October 26, 2016, 12:21:34 pm

Your pads are probably not bad.

Rotors glazed normally.

Plus too low air pressure to push on the brake pads to maximum torque effect.

As the D2 valve I asked about wears and gets oil soaked it stops building air pressure too soon.

If your top pressure is around 110 psi or less and the retarder is off it takes a lot of pressure on the pedal to stop,

At 130 max pressure the brakes stop much better without the retarder.

Plus I turn off the retarder a lot in non crowded areas and exercise and warm up the brakes while driving or before a down grade as they are cold blooded.

And the get rusty sitting.

The pins and their helper springs are a separate deal.

The D2 pressure controllers are inexpensive and come in various pressure ratings.

The highest is the 110-130.

Low pressure (85-100) makes the coach much harder to stop

Re: Disk Brakes

Reply #21 – October 26, 2016, 12:39:26 pm

Have good PSI I aired up system-raised coach up on safety blocks,blocked tires adjusted front slack adjusters,went to back released parking brake crawled under back and passenger side was slow to come off all the way then settled same on driver side is that normal then I set rear slack adjusters.

Re: Disk Brakes

Reply #22 – October 26, 2016, 08:09:44 pm

They can be a little slow to release when you push the button in but they need to retract quickly when the brake pedal is released. Did you measure the stroke when done to verify adjustment?

I haven't seen that support rod before but I use a jack stand to support the extensions when I am loosening the lugs and adjust the height of the stand to match what I need.

Re: Disk Brakes

Reply #23 – October 26, 2016, 11:30:27 pm

D2 governors are adjustable. To increase pressure, rotate adjuster under its top dust cover.

Re: Disk Brakes

Reply #24 – October 27, 2016, 08:22:12 am

Quote from: MichaelU295 – October 26, 2016, 12:10:57 pm

I'm also interested in the lug nut wrench support device.

@prevostart
@craneman
@MichaelU295
@its toby

Seems the Amazon user was not too pleased with this device. I like Derek's idea of using a jack stand (above). ^.^d

http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Tool-32610-Wrench-Support-Stand/dp/B000TXVMX2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSuDxjs0Jk4

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