Brakes

[zagguy]

I purchased a 2000 Winnebago Journey on Saturday. The air brakes seem to work well but make a metal squeek when going slow and a real loud squeek when going slow in reverse. Is that normal for a diesel pusher with this weight or is it something to be concerned about? PS Thanks for the help!

[autofish]

zagguy on our 2001 the brakes sqeel when damp or after bing parked for a few days. This sqeel goes away after the brakes are warmed up one or two stops. This seems to be common on a lot of coaches. Seems like the damper it is the more they sqeel. The dealer has looked at them when new and said it was normal. Coach is now 9 yrs old and 57k miles and still makes same sqeel each time after setting for a day or two. soooooo just live with it--------- good luck

[H. Miller]

Ours made a squeal/grinding noise after the brakes were inspected last year. Took it back and was advised that brake dust caused the noise. With compressed air they blew out lots of "dust" from the brake area. On the way home it started again though not as loud. At home we got out the water hose and really washed the brake shoes and drum area. Immediately drove around the neighborhood while heating/drying the brakes - not a squeek in 6,000 miles since.

[zagguy]

Thanks to both of you, you info really helps...

[nbounder]

Mr Miller - obviously motorhomes are different from autos, because what you describe - hosing off hot brake components, particularly front rotors, will warp the castings (rotor and drums) on any automobile. This will result in a nasty vibration when brakes are applied, along with loss of some braking power.

[Cruzer]

Yes, I would be careful about hosing down hot brake drums or rotors. They can crack or warp.

I had lots of noise on my last coach - a 2004 Allegro Bus on a Freightliner chassis. Freighliner does have a procedure published on burnishing your brakes to remove the squeeling. It's buried in your manual but you can view or print a copy of it at RV Tech Library - Burnishing Squeeling Brakes

[Gary RVRoamer]

Hosing down any really hot metal can cause it to warp or crack, but give the brakes a few minutes to cool and then hosing them is no problem. They get hosed all the time when you drive in the rain, though puddles, or whatever.

Squeals and squawks, though not there by design, are certainly common enough. What you heard in reverse may have ben the slack adjsuters, which try to automatically make adjustments in the brake mechanism for better braking. The slack adjusters can get rusty from lack of use and squawk loudly if you brake fairly sharply in reverse. Do it several more times and it should clear up and also improve brake performance.

Squeals going forward may be dust, dirt, rust, etc. Go Rving more and see if it gets better.