Installing Brake Line Lock

[Winnie 2000]

Hello All, has anyone ever installed a brake line locking device on the F53. My E brake isn't what it should be and with the cost of replacement ($1200 parts only) and a rehab price of $500 plus shipping to the west coast and back, I'm looking at a brake line lock system. They are used on tow trucks to lock the wheel while pulling and also on drag racers for burnout. Seems pretty easy to install, and the brake lines on the F53 are very easy to get to. Any thoughts??

[ga traveler]

Have you tried just adjusting the park brake? The chevy system has been very problematic, but the F53 has been pretty much troublefree.

[Winnie 2000]

I've adjusted the cable to the limit and checked the fluid and that is full. The way the brake release is located in the MH chances are it has been left set and driven.

[Sunflyer2]

My Dad put a line lock on his 02 model,and it works great.1st owner had driven with the brake on and burned it up. You definatly won't forget to release it.

[subford]

I do not think a brake line locking device on the F53 would be worth anything and a little dangerous.

A brake line locking device is just to hold the vehicle for a very short period of time and will damage the brake system if left on when the outside temperature goes up.

A brake line locking device on the F53 will not work for an emergency stopping situation when the brake system has failed as there would be no fluid to block (lock). That is what the emergency brake is for.

It would only work while standing while the engine is running and you have the park position in the transmission for that.

[Winnie 2000]

Thanks Bill for your input. I guess the first question to answer is the brake on the F5 an emergency brake or a parking brake? The reason I'm installing a line lock is to pass the state inspection requirements for my state. The lock I have purchased can be left on for a long period. I don't understand your comment on the temp. issue could you please explain. Thanks again
Peter

[subford]

When I was flying aircraft we had a hydraulic fluid brake lock we used to hold the plane until we got it tied down. We were told to never leave it on after we got it tied down as if the outside temperature went up the expanding fluid would blow out the wheel brake seals. I would think the same thing would happen with an RV as the expanding hydraulic fluid would have no place to go.

I would say it is first an foremost a emergency brake and then secondary a parking brake but only on hills so the parking paw can be released.

[subford]

I do not know what you bought but if you look at the link below it says that it: "provides a temporary "hold" assist".
I would think that is for the reason I posted above.

Also others I have talked to have rebuilt their own emergency brake on the F53 for under $100.00. They took the shoes to a place that relines brake shoes and the bearings and seals did not cost that much.

MICO HYDRAULIC BRAKE LOCK

[RJay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winnie 2000 I've adjusted the cable to the limit and checked the fluid and that is full. The way the brake release is located in the MH chances are it has been left set and driven.

If I remember correctly the Ford emergency brake is just a set of brake shoes that grab the drive shaft within a housing filled with oil. It should be an easy rebuild.

[subford]

That is all they are:





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[wa8yxm]

I have seen them on commercical trucks where it was very important that the truck not move and they did not trust the parking brake.. I'm not sure how "Dangerous" they are.

Truth be told, I'd rather know how to adjust the drive shaft brake on my Workhorse.

I will say this though.. A "lock" on the brakes would be a good thing for those occasions when I need to LIFT the rear axle (IE: Tire change) off the ground.. I'd not worry so much about the rig rolling off the jacks.

[subford]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm Truth be told, I'd rather know how to adjust the drive shaft brake on my Workhorse. I will say this though.. A "lock" on the brakes would be a good thing for those occasions when I need to LIFT the rear axle (IE: Tire change) off the ground.. I'd not worry so much about the rig rolling off the jacks.

Yes I agree that would not mind having one on the front wheels for that but I would still want the one on the drive shaft when I am going down mountains.

[HoRotica]

Quote:

Originally Posted by subford When I was flying aircraft we had a hydraulic fluid brake lock we used to hold the plane until we got it tied down. We were told to never leave it on after we got it tied down as if the outside temperature went up the expanding fluid would blow out the wheel brake seals. I would think the same thing would happen with an RV as the expanding hydraulic fluid would have no place to go. I would say it is first an foremost a emergency brake and then secondary a parking brake but only on hills so the parking paw can be released.

Assuming the motorhome was being driven and then the brake lock engaged, I would think it would be unlikely for ambient temperature to exceed the "being used" temperature that the brake system was when it was parked and set?

Conversely, would it loose some of the "holding power" as the fluid/calipers/drums/rotors etc cooled down?

Chris

[Hikerdogs]

You might want to check with your state dept of transportation before investing any money in a "brake lock". Years ago before the advent of anti lock brakes it was not uncommon for truckers in the northern states to install a valve in the brake line to the front brakes. This was primarily done on straight trucks with hydraulic brakes.

The idea was to throttle down or completely shut off the brake fluid to the front brakes when traversing icy roads. Some were afraid that if the front brakes were to grab it was likely the truck would spin out of control and at the very least end up in the ditch. The valve was also used as a security device when parked at truck stops. The driver would depress the brake pedal, shut off the valve and lock the front brakes on. Even if someone was to be able to start the truck it was unlikely they would be able to move it unless they knew where the valve was and how to turn it back on.
Some years later the Feds decided it was not safe to drive a truck with brakes only on the rear axles under any conditions and banned them from trucks under their juristiction. Which meant any truck licensed for interstate commerce must have operational brakes on all axles without any manual override.

I don't know if this rule is still in effect, or whether it even applies to non-commercial privately owned vehicles, but I would find out before spending time and money that may make you fail an inspection.