Too Much

[Thudman]

Sansing Chevrolet (WH Repair Ctr) Pensacola, quoted me $495 to lube the caliper slide pins on all four wheels. They said they MUST remove the wheels and calipers to lube. Is this correct? Seems I've read here that some folks are able to lube the pins w/the wheels & calipers in place. Comments pls. If they can be lubed in situ, I need some ammo to take to them. Maybe pics??

BTW, I declined. Did them a year ago, so hope that grease lasts! I'm getting brake fluid pwr flush and R&R Fuel Fltr.

Thudman

[CoastieSCPO]

I believe that it is too much however, the WH facility in Knoxville advised that it would cost $500.00 to remove the wheels and calipers so the slides could be removed and lubed. I had it done at the local tire shop this past spring for 20 bucks each when I had six new Michelin XRZ's installed prior to our trip to Alaska.
Bob

[speed racer]

I have 22.5" wheels on my MH and I lubed mine withe the weels on. I did one pin at a time and tiped the caliper out of the way pulled ,cleaned and lubed the pin reinstalled the pin and bolt and then did the other.

[DriVer]

For Thudman .....

What's obvious here is that this is an expensive process. What would I do? Difficult to say but here's what I believe I would do. I'd pass on lubing the pins and slides for now. The campaign is going to happen shortly and I would wait.

In my experience in order to restore the calipers and pads back on the caliper anchor after removal, the pistons need to be pushed back into the bores slightly so that it would ease the installation of the caliper over the rotor.

In my case we installed new pads and I can guarantee you the pistons got stuck.

When you begin pushing back the pistons into their bores, it is entirely possible for the pistons to get stuck in a position that it hasn't seen in a couple of years. The surfaces where the piston seal may come to rest and or the piston itself may not be in the best of condition. The bore could be pitted due to water contamination, or any other anomaly due to wear and tear. These 66mm pistons only move one way or another a few thousandths of an inch. Push a piston back 1/8th of an inch, that's .125 of an inch. That's a lot of thousandths, probably too many.

I've spoken to a number of service centers and sticking pins and slides is not typically "the" point of failure on the Bosch caliper. With that in mind, I would wait and save my $500.00. Going forward I would flush twice and lube once. If you flush every 2 years I would most likely lube pins and slides at the 4 year mark and probably no later than that. In my opinion a wheels off lube and inspection is the way to go because you have to clean the slides. You can't do that with the wheels in place.

I fully expect that with the upcoming caliper recall that the piston retraction issue may not be a problem going forward.

Now changing the brake fluid ... less expensive and more beneficial for the time being as you stated and are inclined to do. If there is a mechanical anomaly with the caliper it is possible that flushing alone will not help the condition of the caliper. If you flush the calipers within 2 years of putting the caliper in commission, you will essentially remove one of the reasons as to why brake fluid comes into play in a failure. Flushing the calipers now regardless of condition will improve the boiling point of the fluid which in our case is important.

Not to be dismissed is that fluid absorbs water and over time the boiling point becomes reduced. This is not me writing this but legitimate engineers that work with brake systems and fluids from companies like BMW and others. Over heat the fluid and the pedal will go to the metal, it's just that simple. Increase the boiling temperature of the fluid by excluding water and it is totally likely that brake fade issues due to moisture content will be absent.

I also hope that you have had time to read Post #8, Paragraph #3 here:

This was a military field test and no Workhorse were harmed in the creation of that report!

[Thudman]

speed racer; did you lube the rear calipers the same way?

Thudman

[wa7hra]

Brazel's RV (a Workhorse Sevice Center) charged $253 to remove all wheels and lube the caliper pins. In addition, they charged $161 to flush the brake system.

They also charged $39.75 for the brake fluid.

[Richardrky]

Had my brake pins lubed at Vinson's in Mayfield, KY for $140. I l also had the brake fluid flushed for $74.99 labor and $18.99 for the brake fluid + tax. I know they did it because I stood there and watched them.

[edgray]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richardrky I know they did it because I stood there and watched them.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richardrky Had my brake pins lubed at Vinson's in Mayfield, KY for $140. I l also had the brake fluid flushed for $74.99 labor and $18.99 for the brake fluid + tax. I know they did it because I stood there and watched them.

Those charges appear to very reasonable.

Appears that the labor of 1.5Hrs-2Htrs on the pins, and .75-1Hr on the flush is what they did. Good deal.

[Petro]

I replaced all 6 of my tires 2 years ago. The shop lubed my pins and slides NC. I did give the service dept. 2 lbs Weyauwega Star Dairy Cheese, 2 dozen Grandma Morgan Chocolate Chip Cookies, and 2 Apple Pies.

Don

[CoastieSCPO]

Petro.........Now, that's what we're talking about. Yum! Yum!

Bob

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoastieSCPO Petro.........Now, that's what we're talking about. Yum! Yum!

There's a rumor going around that if someone so disposed comes camping in Cape Hatteras next year that Mrs. Morgan will have her famous chocolate chip cookies ready and waiting for the "Coffee With The Mayor!" event that has been very well received in events past!

[poorfarmer]

driver: is it possible since i am capable of doing the work myself and money is not an issue, to tear the calipers apart and check the pistons and bore for size and out of round? possibly finding some scarring. maybe even putting on a lathe and polishing the pistons maybe.0005". i'm just one of these guys who would rather work at it than to give up. i sure love my rv and don't want to stop using it. just a thought

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by poorfarmer driver: is it possible since i am capable of doing the work myself and money is not an issue, to tear the calipers apart and check the pistons and bore for size and out of round? possibly finding some scarring. maybe even putting on a lathe and polishing the pistons maybe.0005". I'm just one of these guys who would rather work at it than to give up. i sure love my rv and don't want to stop using it. just a thought.

poorfarmer, If money is no object, just pick up a new set of calipers and put em' on.

Now if I had a insatiable curiosity, that option is certainly possible. Just review the manual for the Bosch Brakes located here to see if that'll be any help to you. I'm not sure if phenolic pistons can be machined.