Parking Brake Not Working

[turbineman]

1998 Winnebago Brave, Model 32WQ. Parking brake is not working. May have gotten worn when the motorhome was driven with the parking brake in the engaged position (knob pulled out). What is involved to inspect and repair parking brake mechanism.

Thanks,
Tom

[Dee_Dubz]

shouldn't be too bad, just the valve. Need to open up the dash and replace it.

[BFlinn181]

You didn't specify what chassis your RV is built on, it might make a difference. If the brake is on the drive shaft, it doesn't require removing the rear dual tires. Whichever chassis you have, Ford, Workhorse, or GM, you can find resources on line to help you if you wish to tackle it yourself.

[turbineman]

Originally Posted by Dee_Dubz

shouldn't be too bad, just the valve. Need to open up the dash and replace it.

Hi Dee,

Thanks for the response. What valve are you referring to?

Tom

PS: Do you know where I might find a service manual?

[turbineman]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

You didn't specify what chassis your RV is built on, it might make a difference. If the brake is on the drive shaft, it doesn't require removing the rear dual tires. Whichever chassis you have, Ford, Workhorse, or GM, you can find resources on line to help you if you wish to tackle it yourself.

It's a Chevy chassis. Does the parking brake consist of a pair of brake shoes that could have worn out from driving with the parking brake engaged?

I'm a garage mechanic of sorts and willing to tackle the job myself. Do you know what's involved to get to the brake internals? Is there something else I should look at first before disassembling the brake mechanism?

Thanks,
Tom

[BFlinn181]

You wouldn't have a pull knob for a parking brake unless it's a diesel with air brakes. You mostly have a P30 Chevy Chassis, used in quite a few step vans, trucks, and buses. Make sure that's what you've got and manuals are available. Workhorse used the same chassis for a number of years after taking over RV chassis from Chevy in '98.

Look underneath along the drive shaft for the parking brake mechanism.

[turbineman]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

You wouldn't have a pull knob for a parking brake unless it's a diesel with air brakes. You mostly have a P30 Chevy Chassis, used in quite a few step vans, trucks, and buses. Make sure that's what you've got and manuals are available. Workhorse used the same chassis for a number of years after taking over RV chassis from Chevy in '98.

Look underneath along the drive shaft for the parking brake mechanism.

BFlinn181,

I do have a pull knob for the parking brake and it is not a diesel with air brakes. It is gas powered 454 (7.4 liter) Chevy engine.

The parking brake mechanism is along the drive shaft behind the transmission.

Do you know where I might find a service manual?

Thanks,
Tom

[BFlinn181]

If it's a P30:

P30 Chevrolet Motorhome Chassis Manual | Free Online Auto Repair Manuals Download

Chevrolet P30 Maintenance & Repair Manuals - JCWhitney

Chevrolet P30 Repair Manual Online | Chilton DIY

A P32/P42 chassis:

1998 P32 P42 Stepvan & Motorhome Chassis Repair Shop Manual Set Original

You might also find info here:

Chevy P30 Chassis Manuals

I used Google to search for, "P30 service manual"

[twinboat]

Hang in there, someone with your brake will read the post and respond.

Some GM powered MH's used Some kind of hydrolic parking brake. Also look for a Workhorse, P30 / P32 chassis fourm

[turbineman]

Thanks for the feedback guys, much appreciated.

What is the difference between at P30 and a P32? My motorhome is 32 foot in length. Does that make it a P32?

Tom

[BFlinn181]

The P30 chassis was a Chevy product. In 1999 Workhorse took the chassis and modified it and designated it P32.

To identify your chassis and it's equipment, use this VIN decoder:

VIN Decoder - Chevrolet Forum - Chevy Enthusiasts Forums

[Dee_Dubz]

I was thinking air brake sys on a freight liner chassis...