F53 Parking Brake oil level

[Greg2]

[QUOTE=Bo Walker;1801392]I don't understand your parking brake. My motor home has the auto park .......

The auto park feature is the reason I refused to consider any Georgie Boy. Hope you know about and carry a 'Rotten Green Switch'. If not, do a google search and become educated.

I suspect but don't know that all auto park systems are pretty much alike.

[chboone]

Originally Posted by Bo Walker

I don't understand your parking brake. My motor home has the auto park which has a hydrolic system located inside the frame on the passenger side near the entry door. This unit contains a fluid bowl with a cap. It is fairly easy to check and add fluid. I have never tried checking it at the drum on the driveshaft.

That's because Ford does not use the auto-park system. I for one am glad they don't.

Chuck

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by RLS7201

Exactly!
The seal is designed to keep the oil in the ZF brake assemble. Over time the transmission ATF will migrate past the seal and over fill the brake. I changed the bearings and seals in my ZF brake and filled it to the proper level. When I checked the fluid level one year later, it was over full again.

Richard

Are you sure you put it back together properly? Why would Ford have us check the fluid if the brake will automatically be refilled from the tranny?

[House Husband]

Originally Posted by Pirate

Are you sure you put it back together properly? Why would Ford have us check the fluid if the brake will automatically be refilled from the tranny?

As a mater of fact, I did.
Your post demonstrates you lack of understanding of the subject matter.
The ZF brake assembly was NOT built by Ford but was manufactured by ZF of Germany. ZF installed the seals to keep the oil in. Ford elected to use the ZF brake assemble as the rear seal and output shaft support for their E4OD transmission.
A little fluid migration is normal when applied to the back side of a single lip seal.

Richard

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by RLS7201

As a mater of fact, I did.
Your post demonstrates you lack of understanding of the subject matter.
The ZF brake assembly was NOT built by Ford but was manufactured by ZF of Germany. ZF installed the seals to keep the oil in. Ford elected to use the ZF brake assemble as the rear seal and output shaft support for their E4OD transmission.
A little fluid migration is normal when applied to the back side of a single lip seal.

Richard

Thanks for that enlightening information regarding ZF even though I could care less who makes it. My point being, Ford, as in my Ford service manual, says to check the fluid. I disagree with your synopsis of fluid migration over the period of one year. Congratulations on your modified ZF brake system as you no longer need to check your fluid level.

[House Husband]

Originally Posted by Pirate

Thanks for that enlightening information regarding ZF even though I could care less who makes it. My point being, Ford, as in my Ford service manual, says to check the fluid. I disagree with your synopsis of fluid migration over the period of one year. Congratulations on your modified ZF brake system as you no longer need to check your fluid level.

Disagree you may. I started my carrier as an auto mechanic. I then made the transition to a large commercial bakery as an Operating Engineer. From there I went on to work as a Machinist in a job shop Then I move on to becoming the Maintenance Director of a large ink production facility. As you can see I've had the opportunity to work with a lot of equipment that required various seals. I stand by my assessment of single lip seal, back side fluid migration.

Richard

[Ted Lambert]

Originally Posted by Pirate

Thanks for that enlightening information regarding ZF even though I could care less who makes it. My point being, Ford, as in my Ford service manual, says to check the fluid. I disagree with your synopsis of fluid migration over the period of one year. Congratulations on your modified ZF brake system as you no longer need to check your fluid level.

You sir are obviously no mechanic and you are not understanding the issue..
I agree with RLS7201. Fluid transfer from one component to another is not uncommon.
Is it possible Ford wants it checked to also confirm that it is not only full,but overfull?
I have rebuilt more ZF Transmissions and components than I care to remember and spent years in rebuild shops. Believe me Richard knows what he is talking about.
My 1998 F53 is always overfull and there are two things I can do.
First off check before the season as I do.
Remove the bearing cage and replace the out put seal, which I don't as It is not pushing oil out over the ground.
So if it is overfull from season to season where is it coming from. OH MY GOSH. It must be past the out put seal.
No big Deal, it will be drained on my Seasonal check!!

[Pirate]

You are right of course. I clearly remember reading that I should check the fluid level for an overfilled condition. Open and release excess fluid once every 2 years.

[Ron Everson]

Subford,

It appears that the plugs in the diagram on post #2 are mislabeled. I understood that the vent was on top and the fill plug was on the side. Or did I dream that? I need to know, since I intend to check the fluid level in my parking brake reservoir for the 1st time when it warms up.

Thanks

Ron Everson
Cortez, Colorado
1996 Bounder 34J
1995 Ford F53 chassis w/460, 46K miles

[subford]

You are right.
The view in the diagram is looking down on the brake from a birds-eye view.

[Ron Everson]

It finally warmed up enough for me to work on the mh yesterday. I did manage to break free the fill plug for the parking brake oil reservoir (for the 1st time) using a swivel adaptor & 11/16" socket. I found that it had plenty of oil. When I screwed the plug out, a gush of oil followed. I immediately screwed the fill plug back in, and can rest assured that it should be good for a while.

The next issue is that the transmission housing is pretty wet with oil, so I need to check that out. There was a fair-sized oil puddle on the floor under it. Hope it's just a pan gasket!

Ron Everson
Cortez, Colorado
1996 Bounder 34J
1995 Ford F53 chassis with 460, 46K miles

[wyorancher]

I still haven't found the parking brake reservoir.

[Nick-B]

Originally Posted by wyorancher

I still haven't found the parking brake reservoir.

Its the round thing between the transmission and driveshaft.

Go back to post #2 for a picture.

[wyorancher]

Originally Posted by Nick-B

Its the round thing between the transmission and driveshaft.

Go back to post #2 for a picture.

Thanks. I saved pix. I will check it out.