No brake problems

[speed racer]

I have an 04 workhorse W22 chassis with 22k miles on it. I have been to the west coast via I80 and back on rt.66. I went to the east coast NH,Vermont,Main and back. I winter in Florida and my MH sits for 6 months. Last year I lubed the slide pins and found no problems and I just got done flushing the brake fluid. By the way both jobs are very easy to do if you have any idea how the brake system works. I tow a car on a dolley with surge brakes. The slide pins were not dry and the brake fluid was not that bad and I have never had any brake problems. I do beleive I am part of the majority of workhorse owners that have not had brake problems. (Preventive maint. is cheaper than the repairs)

[DriVer]

Originally Posted by speed racer

(Preventive maint. is cheaper than the repairs)

speed racer, I would hope that everyone that is a subscriber to this forum and at the end of the day that each walks away with a better appreciation of how PM can save on wear and tear.

After everyone has had the campaign resolved with their (4) calipers, and if owners are not proactive on their own behalf, surely problems will present again. I for one will be more aggressive when it comes to brake PM.

An effective PM strategy is applied well and way before anything might have a tendency to fail. Accomplishing PM techniques after the onset of a failure is ineffective.

My brakes only lasted me about 6 years and 60K miles however the thing that differentiates me from owners that have had brake problems is I expect that I didn't do a lot of sitting. We all have the same brakes mine are not any different. My motorhome is constantly at its GVW limit and I use an SMI auxiliary brake. Heavy yes, toad brakes yes, lots of miles yes, aggressive PM not so much (but the PM effort on my brakes has changed)

[BellaBo]

"Last year I lubed the slide pins and found no problems"

How do you lube the slide pins with the caliper on the vehicle? I looked at the slide pin brake manual and it seems their maintenance is with the caliper off the vehicle unless I missed something. Also, where do you find the proper grease?
Thanks

[DriVer]

Originally Posted by Streamerman

..... Also, where do you find the proper grease?

Try this:

[rickandcheryl]

speed racer, congrats, you got lucky with your coach. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.

["007"]

Good job Speed, even a blind squirrel would not have a problem this year there's plenty of nuts to be found this year around here.

[DriVer]

Originally Posted by "007"

Good job Speed, even a blind squirrel would not have a problem this year there's plenty of nuts to be found this year around here.

[George Z]

Originally Posted by "007"

Good job Speed, even a blind squirrel would not have a problem this year there's plenty of nuts to be found this year around here.

totally agree, a couple threads are directly under the tree

[Max Hubrich]

How do you lube the slide pins with the caliper on the vehicle?

I can get all my slide pins out, one at a time, to clean and lube them-- No problem.

Next time I do it, I'll post pictures

I bought caliper slide pin lube at CarQuest.

[BellaBo]

Originally Posted by Max Hubrich

I can get all my slide pins out, one at a time, to clean and lube them-- No problem.

Next time I do it, I'll post pictures

I bought caliper slide pin lube at CarQuest.

Thanks Max.... So they can be removed by unscrewing them from the back of the caliper and replaced pretty easily. I haven't looked at them yet, but sounds easy anyway.

[speed racer]

Originally Posted by Streamerman

"Last year I lubed the slide pins and found no problems"

How do you lube the slide pins with the caliper on the vehicle? I looked at the slide pin brake manual and it seems their maintenance is with the caliper off the vehicle unless I missed something. Also, where do you find the proper grease?
Thanks

I have 22.5" wheels on my MH and all you do is take the pin bolts out one at a time and move that end of the caliper away from the pin. Remove the pin and clean and lube it and the hole it came out of then replace it and put the bolt back in. after tightening this bolt do the same to the other end. The rear ones are a little close but it can be done with very little trouble. Its a lot easyer than flushing the brake fluid. As far as the lube it's available at any parts store as high temp brake slide lube.

[RickNB]

I guess I must be a blind squirrel too havnt had any brake problems so far and dont plan to.

Have fun
Rick

[speed racer]

Originally Posted by rickandcheryl

speed racer, congrats, you got lucky with your coach. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.

There is no luck to it. I have been a mech. most of my life and I know what causes these broblems and do what I can to prevent them. Caliper pistons and pin slides hanging up is nothing new. The original disc brake calipers had steel piston that would rust and stick is the reason they went to alternative materials. I would guess that stainles steel would be the answer but these calipers would be expenceve.

[BellaBo]

Thanks for the info Speed Racer. Sounds simple enough. I have 22.5 wheels too.