Interim Repair Procedure Q&A

[DriVer]

I posted the official notice here. I locked that thread so we could keep it as short as possible and so members could just go in there and read the material.

This is about the best material we've seen from Workhorse describing the forensics of the brake calipers and parts and what to expect from your dealership as they work through the issue.

I am opening this thread so we can discuss what's written in the Service Bulletin. Although we've just about exhausted most avenues of thought in this matter, we can resume our discussion here.

As usual I will try to be the first to present these materials for our readers here on iRV2.com as they work through their own brake issues if they exist.

As soon as the campaign launches we'll try to be one of the first Internet resources to follow up on that process as well.

[adj]

As I read it, customers who experienced brake problems fall into this interim notice. The service managers have to make a judgement call based on the info that WH has provided.

I take it that this has nothing to do with the actual recall which will include "all" chassises included in the initial notice.

[adj]

Guess I swhould have read the " Brake Recall Update" first.

[gonzo]

Just a question on the brake rotor: Does this mean that the small cracks shown in the first picture are "normal" ?

[DAN L]

driver:
thanks for this post.

[edgray]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonzo Just a question on the brake rotor: Does this mean that the small cracks shown in the first picture are "normal" ?

GONZO: In a word, YES. The top most rotor picture is showing surface cracks that are considered normal and NOT a problem. ED

[Mr. Proto]

Thanks for the post DriVer; I had my unit towed to Mount Comfort RV and they handled my problem. When I looked over your post I could see that I fell into the catagory with respect to the ABS sensors and center cap melt downs etc. I did have my rotors turned, my expense, just to be on the safe side. I wish I knew about the brake fluid change earlier, I would have done my change more often. Maybe it would be a good idea to do it early instead of on a 3 year basis. What do you think?

[oemtech]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Proto I wish I knew about the brake fluid change earlier, I would have done my change more often. Maybe it would be a good idea to do it early instead of on a 3 year basis. What do you think?

With a set of Speed Bleeders installed I do mine YEARLY. Dot 3 at Wal Mart is $3.50 a qt and it takes about 3 qts and about 30 mins of your time. Overkill, maybe but I have not had any problems or I am just lucky.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAN L thanks for this post.

Got your back!

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Proto Thanks for the post DriVer

Mr. Proto, I hope the information provided will assist you as well as others.

[DriVer]

We've just updated the photos in the feature article. You can click on them and they will expand out to full size for more detail.

Thanks ....

[EngineerMike]

This is a great improvement over previous communication, i.e. the Interim Notice only. Not real speedy in coming IMO, shoulda been issued along w/the I.N. IMO, as it details the piecemeal info that has dribbled out over time. 47,000 is a lot of customers to leave, driving around with a big question mark about their brake safety and service with this interim condition, so this Bulletin gives better depth to the subject. I particularly like the photos and descriptions so customers can see physically what is being discussed.

The one thing that kinda bugs me is the sentence: "This heating and cooling cycle described above may increase the difficulty of performing an accurate diagnosis." Which leaves unsaid the practice customers seem to be encountering (based on iRV2 posts) of If we have difficulty performing an accurate diagnosis on your failed, recalled brakes, though beans- you can pay to deal with it. Seems a little cheezy to me.

As far as brake fluid change interval- this is one of the easiest and cheapest service items that can be done. Brakes on a large, heavy vehicle are exponentially more important by weight (& investment dollars if that enters the equation tangentially when safety is involved) than on a passenger vehicle. And if experience here on iRV2 is an indicator, brake fluid condition is more important, not less, as a part of the "system" of variables (this across all hydraulic brake systems on coaches, not just these recalled units). So I don't have a problem with a yearly change interval as a standard where the manual may have previously indicated a longer one. As part of the engineering dialogue to pinpoint the recommended change interval, I would offer that a 1 year regardless of mileage interval elevates the owner's level of consciousness about brake service and brake system integrity.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EngineerMike The one thing that kinda bugs me is the sentence: "This heating and cooling cycle described above may increase the difficulty of performing an accurate diagnosis." Which leaves unsaid the practice customers seem to be encountering (based on iRV2 posts) of If we have difficulty performing an accurate diagnosis on your failed, recalled brakes, though beans- you can pay to deal with it. Seems a little cheezy to me..

EM, You left out most of the important language in the paragraph which states:

• If a brake pad drags as described above, and the vehicle is subsequently parked for a sufficient amount of time (may be as short as 20 minutes), the piston may cool and experience a corresponding decrease in piston diameter. This reduction in piston diameter may be sufficient to allow the piston to release from a binding condition. This heating and cooling cycle described above may increase the difficulty of performing an accurate diagnosis.

If the caliper releases after having cooled it will be difficult to diagnose a seizure unless you have a crystal ball. Now that doesn't make any more sense than what you wrote.

What we have seen here in iRV2 posts is one thing however in a different control group the actual experiences of owners is different. I have just completed 2 Workhorse support seminars and the owners that I have spoken to face to face just don't share the "cheezy" scenario with me.

I have not met a person yet that was not appreciative that this brake issue is going to be resolved in due time. By in large the majority of the owners here have not reported a brake failure. Those that cared to share their brake failure told the entire room how well they were supported by the in place infrastructure and how well the service center performed in resolving the immediate need.

At the end of the day everyone gets 4 new calipers. I hope that Peak owners will enjoy the same type of resolution with their calipers as well.

[mythplaced]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriVer ..... I hope that Peak owners will enjoy the same type of resolution with their calipers as well.

OUCH!!

Seems to me this is not a Workhorse problem, but is a caliper manufacturer problem...

My Peak has meritor calipers so this particular issue does not affect me.