Forgotten J71 Park Brake

TandW · 04-15-2009, 05:46 PM

So the W-series service brake issue has been owned up to by Navistar! This is good! Will they also take responsibility for the J71 Park Brake issues?

DriVer · 04-15-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TandW

Will they also take responsibility for the J71 Park Brake issues?

TandW, Not sure on that one since it was a Chevrolet/GM design that came with the P series when they got it from GM in 2000. WCC did obsolesce the J71 system and designed a newer J72. The WCC J72 has been working reliably I understand.

The UFO has an AAPB called the WABCO HPB and I haven't heard anyone complain about that system as of yet.

TandW · 04-15-2009, 07:23 PM

DriVer, your reply seems to imply that when a company changes hands all liability for poor design implementation stops. You have not been especially endearing to thousands of Workhorse owners who have now, and finally been proven righteous in their claims against whoever it was supplied, approved, or otherwise chose to install some 40,000 defective service brake systems. I have a 2001 Workhorse P-chassis under my Tiffin motorhome. This motorhome has a history of stopping itself suddenly via the APB with no driver input. It has also rolled away from the gas pump with the APB applied and the transmission in "GHOST PARK". I ask you again in this forum how can I obtain a Parking Pawl for the transmission in this unit. Until I do I must continue to block my wheels and field disparaging comments from bystanders. 'nuff said?

DriVer · 04-15-2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TandW

.. your reply seems to imply that when a company changes hands all liability for poor design implementation stops.

T&W, I can't speak for Workhorse .... never did. I hope that you can find some resolution to the J71 problem that you are having.

Have you accessed the J71 Library that OUB has setup? I'm sure that there will be resources in there that you will find valuable.

Brazels has a direct replacement unit that works on air. Perhaps you might want to investigate that system further. (actually I think you may have already heard about it)

JonBrazel · 04-15-2009, 09:19 PM

File a claim with NHTSA...that seemed to work for the W series owners.

max49 · 04-15-2009, 09:20 PM

TandW,
I agree that the whole principle of the autopark is a terrible design and several years ago I was going to trade it for a Hurricane on a Ford chassis just because I was so scared of it. I could'nt afford the hit I was going to take on the trade so I decided that I would just have to live with it.
Mine's 5 years old now and it has not given me any trouble for the last 4.5 years. I carry a spare 'rotten green switch' but have not had to use it.
You definitly have something wrong if yours not only applies by itself but also releases it self. It needs 12 volts to release and nothing to apply. I have a fake "Park", and a yellow button, but all I need to do to park the MH is turn the key off. Scary but reliable so far.
Look at your green switch and see if it's leaking, check the oil in the resevoir. If that's not the problem, 'Old used Bear' will come to the rescue and help, he always does.

DriVer · 04-15-2009, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by max49

I have a fake "Park", and a yellow button, but all I need to do to park the MH is turn the key off. Scary but reliable so far.

Max, That's why GM called it an Auto Apply Parking Brake.

I agree with you that if a motorhome rolls away after the AAPB has been set, there's an issue with the brake itself. The system can not possibly stay charged after the power is cut off.

jdsr · 04-16-2009, 10:30 AM

I have to agree. If its that bad and enough of you file a claim with www.nhtsa.gov you might get some help. IMO the only reason we got help is because we filed complaints and asked others who had brake problems to do the same. We not only got the word out here but other places as well. We won the battle

. Good luck

TandW · 04-16-2009, 04:22 PM

DriVer, I did not say I was having any problem with the J71 AAPB that I could not deal with. I do not trust it to stay off when not needed and I do not trust it to hold on an incline one might find at a fuel island or in a normally graded parking lot. I have in fact always blocked the wheels when it was parked in my own drive. It simply became factual that the abrubt unintended application at speed causes heat damage within the brake drum other than the sudden unintended loss of friction material. This system is called the J71 Automatically Applied Parking Brake System. It is not an emergency brake! As an otherwise satisfied Workhorse owner I again ask for assistance in procuring a parking pawl for the transmission. This is the only logical long term solution. A lone driver cannot safely park this vehicle! To this fact I shall testify when called upon to do so.

max49 · 04-16-2009, 06:36 PM

I believe if you want a parking pawl, you need to do what I thought about doing; buy a Ford.
I launch my boat with the MH and if you know any thing at all about boats, the ramps are very steep. You back in where the back of the MH is about touching the water, set the brake , go behind the MH to the winch and release the boat. All this while you are depending on the autopark to hold it . No trailer brakes, in reverse All the while being prepared to get out of the way in a hurry. I've thought about wedging a 2X4 between the brake pedal and seat base but if it does'nt hold , I hope I have good insurance and it goes to the bottom of the lake.
When I bought mine, I had no idea that it did'nt have a park pawl. I saw the 'P' on the gearshift and what else was I suppose to think that was? A fake? Pretty deceptive, IMO
However, it is what it is and I have to live with it for now.
They fooled me once but not again.

TandW · 04-16-2009, 06:53 PM

Max I have no intention to give up on the coach. If we used that ethic during Viet Nam we wouldn't have been able to get ourselves home. I just insist upon and demand proper and logical repairs!