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Topic: parking brake not holding (Read 1883 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: parking brake not holding

Reply #25 –
"Run Forrest run!"  Find someone knowledgeable of these excellent but complex brakes.  The consequences of improper adjustment or repair are not only dangerous but expensive as well. 

Once they are properly set they should be rock solid for years.
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: parking brake not holding

Reply #26 –
Quote from: Chuck Pearson –
Once they are properly set they should be rock solid for years.

Yup, our wedge air drum brakes were still working well and still had plenty of lining left at 170,000 miles when we sold it.
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: parking brake not holding

Reply #27 –
Quote from: Chuck Pearson –
"Run Forrest run!"  Find someone knowledgeable of these excellent but complex brakes.  The consequences of improper adjustment or repair are not only dangerous but expensive as well. 

Once they are properly set they should be rock solid for years.
"Doing the reading," I found that there was a change made that means parts before a certain year and parts after a certain year can't be interchanged.  Of course that's the brake shoe clearance adjustment, which does the same work as the cable and pawl on an automobile or light truck, but is much nicer and totally enclosed in clay based grease.

So Yes! Run! Forest Run!
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: parking brake not holding

Reply #28 –
Definitely take the motor home out of there and find out exactly what your brakes are. They should be wedge brakes. I suggest that you call Old Toolmaker. It sounds like he has read up on them and can talk you through this. I think that they probably only need adjusted.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: parking brake not holding

Reply #29 –
Yep. I ran. Now I'm looking for someone who knows Rockwell air wedge brakes.
1993 U225 36'
Build #4295
1979 Int'l Scout II
2005 BMW R1200RT

Re: parking brake not holding

Reply #30 –
OK, coach is back in the shop; different shop. Mechanic (who recently purchased a Foretravel, a U280, I believe) tells me my wedge system shoes are worn out. He has had trouble locating new proper shoes for this system, but, he knows someone local that is able to fabricate new shoes/linings. The drums are not worn out and are still useable, but, do shoe some wear. The drums are worn some and show some heat cracking that he thinks is not too serious. Replacement drums are available to the tune of $2600 including shipping; and only about six pairs of these drums are in existence in the U.S.

Options:

Spend the $$$ and replace the shoes now; should be good for the rest of our years in the coach. Sell/throw away the old drums

Or

Not spend the $$$ for the drums, just replace the linings; may be good for the rest of our days. A little bit of a gamble.

Or

Buy the new drums and save them for 'that day' when they may be needed.

Thoughts/experiences?

p.s. front brakes are 'perfect'.
1993 U225 36'
Build #4295
1979 Int'l Scout II
2005 BMW R1200RT

Re: parking brake not holding

Reply #31 –
Your mechanic (assuming familiar with truck drum brakes) should be the one to decide on whether the drums are OK or need to be replaced. Not reasonable for us to express an "over the internet" opinion.

If replacing, do it in pairs so all brakes on an axle are the same.
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: parking brake not holding

Reply #32 –
There should be a dia. number on the drums. If they are under that number I wouldn't personally worry about heat checks. Relining shoes with new material is rare but if he has someone to do it go for it.
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: parking brake not holding

Reply #33 –
I haven't relined brake shoes in over 50 years, we used to do it all the time.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: parking brake not holding

Reply #34 –
There are still a couple of old school truck parts places in Orlando Fla that still reline  shoes.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: parking brake not holding

Reply #35 –
Roger. I would probably opt for the ,buy the drums and sit on them until i need them or ?    ....  Cause of availability,and the cost will likely not go down.      But that's just me... we (i) am possibly hard on brakes ,either that or I'm a slow learner.  Just had our brakes worked on for third time.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: parking brake not holding

Reply #36 –
Thanks. Bret.
I agree; decision has to be made here with the mechanic. Drums are still  well within spec.

I think.either way would be ok.
1993 U225 36'
Build #4295
1979 Int'l Scout II
2005 BMW R1200RT

Re: parking brake not holding

Reply #37 –
Quote from: bbeane –
There are still a couple of old school truck parts places in Orlando Fla that still reline  shoes.
There's also a company in Kentucky and one in New Jersey.  Re-lining clutch disks and brake shoes is a common practice for parts that are no longer available.

Brake Relining and Clutch Relining Services

Custom Fabricator & Distributor of Specialty Friction and Brake Shoe...

Kentucky Clutch | Car, Tractor & Truck Clutch Repair & Kits - If you're...

And finally, a pair of unobtainable 11" by 2 1/2" Studebaker Lark V-8  brake shoes.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: parking brake not holding

Reply #38 –
I have about 150K miles on mine and the shoes are about 1/2 in thic or more.  Not much taper on the shoes.    My drums are heat cracked a little and belled a little also.  Not a lot . just enough to require bedding the shoes and readjusting if the parts get moved around.  Take pics and mark each shoes for placement back to the same place if re using. 
  I find it odd that you shoes are worn out.
  One of my adjusters came un linked and that wheel would not stop or lock on the park brake .  Only out maybe 1/8 of an inch .
  My rear brakes are 15 In? maybe. Foregot the width tho. Yours may be smaller .