Brake life

[baraff]

I have 2005 Winnie e450 Class C with 62,000 miles on it. We're planning a big trip this fall and I'm thinking I need to get the brakes inspected before then. I noticed that the parking brake no longer holds and suspect this is due to brake pad wear. Which brings up my first question: what is the average life of a set of brakes on a motorhome? I realize this is a very subjective question, but I'm curious what others have experienced.
Also, back in the day, folks would get the drums and rotors turned at a machine shop. Every brake job I've had recently they just replace the rotors with cheap Chinese rotors that rust at the first hint of moisture. I want to keep my OEM rotors if they're not too worn. Do people still turn rotors these days or am I stuck with replacing with the Chinese junk? To the best of my knowledge the brakes and rotors have never been replaced.

[toneumanns]

Rotors can be turned. You can usually get one turning of them. There will be a minimum thickness etched somewhere on the rotor. As long as the rotor is that thick after turning you will be ok.

I don't think your parking brake problem is a result of wear. The cable has probably stretched causing more travel of the foot pad. They are simple to tighten usually with a turnbuckle somewhere along the cable run.

[Dwight]

I would be concerned with the brake calipers being free to slide slightly away from the rotor when brake application is released and that the brake fluid is flushed out with new fluid every third year.

Considering the time involved and the reject rate I don't have my rotors re-cut or trued. If I feel a pulsing of the brake pedal the cost of replacing rotors is less than it was years ago and it involves almost no labor.

[Fiesta48]

Brake pads should last 100k, mine at 70K are < 1/2 worn out. Get the system fused. With new pads get OEM's rotors turned down minimally. Make sure no brakes are dragging by rotating tires off the ground. Lightly grease wear points if calipers are taken apart.

[Hikerdogs]

Originally Posted by Fiesta48

Brake pads should last 100k, mine at 70K are < 1/2 worn out. Get the system fused. With new pads get OEM's rotors turned down minimally. Make sure no brakes are dragging by rotating tires off the ground. Lightly grease wear points if calipers are taken apart.

I hope you checked the rear pads as well as the fronts. The brake system on an F53 chassis is a bit different than the one on a car. The fronts on a car generally do 70% of the stopping. The brakes on the motorhome chassis are 50/50. I checked the front pads on our 01 chassis at 75,000 miles and there was about 40% of the material left. The rear pads however were paper thin. Since the system is 50/50 and the back axle carries twice the weight of the front the rears will wear faster.