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brake inspection 94 grand villa

i have a 94 grandvilla with air brakes can i inspect the brakes with out removing the wheels and drums thanks keith
keith williams

Re: brake inspection 94 grand villa

Reply #1 –
You should be able to see the thickness of the lining on drum brakes from the rear. Disc you have to remove a wheel to visually see. The discs have a pin that if you search the info on will give you distance from the caliper on how much pad is worn.
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
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Re: brake inspection 94 grand villa

Reply #2 –
thank you
keith williams

Re: brake inspection 94 grand villa

Reply #3 –
Keith,

Please tell us what coach you have.

That will determine what kind of air brakes you have-- drum or disk.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: brake inspection 94 grand villa

Reply #4 –
unihome , iam learning i just purchased this coach does that help wolfe 10 thank you
keith williams

Re: brake inspection 94 grand villa

Reply #5 –
36 foot
keith williams

Re: brake inspection 94 grand villa

Reply #6 –
I believe you have disc brakes on all four corners. At least, we do on our 1993.

I think Brett was asking which model you have. In 1994 I think all were Unihomes, but they came in four versions: U225 (22,500 pounds gross weight), U240 (24,000 pounds gross weight), U280 (28,000 pounds gross weight) and U300 (30,000 pounds gross weight). Easiest way to tell is to look at the data placard to the driver's left and look at GVWR.

Since you have a 36' coach, you actually have a bit more carrying capacity than those of us with 40' coaches, as the GVRW is the same for both lengths, but the 36' is a bit lighter.

Re: brake inspection 94 grand villa

Reply #7 –
U225/U240 OR U280/U300.  VERY different brakes.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: brake inspection 94 grand villa

Reply #8 –
u225  gvw is 22,500 does this tell you what type brakes thanks all for your help
keith williams

Re: brake inspection 94 grand villa

Reply #9 –
Keith,

The U225 has WEDGE drum air brakes.  Very popular in Europe and on some medium duty trucks in the U.S. when your coach was built.  You can inspect brake lining depth without removing anything (from inside/behind the brakes).  But, to determine condition of the linings themselves or drums, you will have to pull the wheels and drums.  Not too much of a job as long as you have safety stands.  Your hydraulic jacks can pick up the coach, then block with safety stands.

On the U225 with the Torsilastic suspension, it is also important to check RIDE HEIGHT.  Plenty of posts here in checking and adjusting it (raising ride height takes NO new parts-- you remove shims to raise ride height.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: brake inspection 94 grand villa

Reply #10 –
thank you sir for each axle what cap, stands should i have to be safe are the drums were they slid over the hub no seals involved to inspect also, with the air brakes i would think afte being on level ground i would have the brake released not on to release presure on the shoes i have some manuals in the coach that shows some pictures that may help , i wanna have the satifaction of knowing there condition before its to late and cost me more for drums thank you so very much for your help. keith
keith williams

Re: brake inspection 94 grand villa

Reply #11 –
Keith,

Been years since I pulled the brake drums on your style brakes, but as I recall, no seals are involved in removing wheels/drums.

Anything that supports the axles is fine for safety-- same kind of stands are medium duty trucks.  The jacks SHOULD hold it, but you want the safety stands in case of a hydraulic line/seal failing.

Yes, rear brakes need to be either "air pressure up and parking brake off/wheels chocked) or rear brakes caged/wheels chocked.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: brake inspection 94 grand villa

Reply #12 –
brett ,thank you very much for your help i bought this coach 2 weeks ago it has a cummings 120,000 milesnew tires runs great and so far iam loveing it i like to stay on top of things ,to save money and prevent issues and foremost saftey so thank you so much,keith
keith williams

Re: brake inspection 94 grand villa

Reply #13 –
Foretravel U225 and U240 both have the air wedge brakes as well as torsilastic suspension.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: brake inspection 94 grand villa

Reply #14 –
Grease the little wedges and adjust the shoes up pretty tight. If you can slide the drum back on, you are good.
  Please dont try to lift the coach with the suicide jacks. They will fold over the dump back onto the ground . Be very careful.
    I use a HF 12T pump jack with a stack of 4x4 under the axle.Just high enough to remove the wheels. Wheel chock the other corners. 
 Normally these shoes will last 2-300 K miles.
 If your air system operating pressure is sub 125, you might increase the pressure 25 # with the adjusting nut ,Screw ( loosen lock nut, turn screw in 1 turn)on the air regulator,D2 or buy a new one. The newer D2 are set a little higher and the brakes work better. 

Re: brake inspection 94 grand villa

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Protech Racing –
If your air system operating pressure is sub 125, you might increase the pressure with the adjusting screw.  Loosen lock nut, turn screw 1 turn on the D2 governor, or buy a new one. The newer D2 are set a little higher and the brakes work better.
Keith,

You'll find the complete Bendix D-2 Governor instructions in the link below:

http://www.plazafleetparts.com/uploads/2/1/9/0/2190100/d-2_governor_maintenance.pdf
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
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