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Old 01-15-2012, 12:26 PM   #1
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Brake Problems

ABS brakes; We have a 99 Alpine Coach with 4 wheel Bosch hydrakic disc brakes, coupled to a Merritor/Wabco ABS. We have lost our brakes twice. Master cylinder full and yet the pedal would go clear to the floor with no resistance,and will not pump up. We have been told that it has a faulty sensor on one wheel, ok, if that being said, why do we have complete brake failure on the entire system???? A mechanic has unplugged the system and we are traveling without the benifit of the ABS. We all drove many many years without ABS. The last time the monster healed itself in a rest area, nothing was done, and the brakes restored themself as quick as they failed. Any thoughts?? old trucker
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Old 01-15-2012, 12:50 PM   #2
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Old Trucker
My guess is that there is water in the brake fluid. When the fluid heats up which it does with use the water turns to steam which won't compress. Then the pedal will go to the floor. When it cools off the steam turns back to water and the pedal will return to its normal position. Flushing and changing the brake fluid is highly recommended every two or three years.
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Old 01-15-2012, 02:50 PM   #3
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I have moved these posts from the New Member Check In forum to get more knowledgeable views and to avoid hijacking someone else's thread.

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Old 01-15-2012, 03:55 PM   #4
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The pedal going to the floor has nothing to do with the ABS. If you had a wheel sensor go the ABS warning light would be on and you did not mention this. My ABS ECU failed years ago and it was too expensive to replace so I have been braking without the benefit of ABS for some while and never noticed the difference. I have changed out my master cylinder and all 4 calipers and given the age of your coach you may need to do that. What you describe sounds like overheated brake fluid, which may be contaminated with water if it hasn't been flushed recently. I think you need to find another brake shop to go to.
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Old 01-15-2012, 04:02 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Algoma View Post
The pedal going to the floor has nothing to do with the ABS. If you had a wheel sensor go the ABS warning light would be on and you did not mention this. My ABS ECU failed years ago and it was too expensive to replace so I have been braking without the benefit of ABS for some while and never noticed the difference. I have changed out my master cylinder and all 4 calipers and given the age of your coach you may need to do that. What you describe sounds like overheated brake fluid, which may be contaminated with water if it hasn't been flushed recently. I think you need to find another brake shop to go to.
Agreed
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Old 01-15-2012, 04:37 PM   #6
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Thanks for moving the posts. As soon as I sent a reply to old truckers question I realized I was in the wrong place for the reply. I didn't mean to step on Rocky Haynes post.
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Old 01-15-2012, 06:08 PM   #7
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Many years ago when I turned wrenches for a living the rule of thumb with brakes was if the brake pedel goes to the floor on a dual master cylinder (Which Alpine Has) and no fluid leaks are found it is probably a bad Master Cylinder. Dual Master Cylinder can bypass brake fluid internally and not allow pressure to build, which will allow the brake pedal to go to the floor.
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Old 01-24-2012, 11:09 AM   #8
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We had a problem with the brakes overheating which was caused by the brake pedal not returning all the way after removing foot pressure. The pivot that redirects the pedal force to the master cylinder was rusted and stiff.

If you can pull the brake pedal up with your foot (or hand if you're parked) then check the pivot.

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Old 01-27-2012, 11:49 AM   #9
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Ours is a 98 Alpine and we have had this problem twice...as long as I keep the front brake calipers oiled with WD-40, we have not had any more trouble. We move locations almost every week. So just before we leave a location I give them a little spray. When I wash the coach I pressure spray the caliber slides to remove dust and road grime, then oil. Working great. Wish I would have learned this before the $2400. brake job three years ago...
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Old 01-27-2012, 02:18 PM   #10
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Brian, I don't think what you are doing is advisable. You cannot lubricate the pistons this way and and you risk getting oil on the rotor and the brake pads. The rail slides on the caliper should be lubricated with a special grease that will not wash off and if it gets a little dirty it doesn't matter.
http://www.permatex.com/products/Aut..._Lubricant.htm
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Old 01-27-2012, 06:54 PM   #11
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Brian- I agree w/John, using WD-40 isn't the right approach. You need to grease the slides w/

The WD-40 is better than nothing, but long term probably not good for other components. Using this 3M stuff should cut way down on your # of trips under the coach.
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Old 01-30-2012, 09:42 AM   #12
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Tks for the info...I will make the change you have recommended today!!! I appreciate the advice...
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