Community Forums

DriVer · 10-17-2010, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djohn

I picked up my 2003 Newmar MH from Holland Bus Company after they ‘completed repairs’ due to the 5 year long Workhorse brake recall.

Dick, Your timeline is off. It was 10 years.

Foulwx · 10-20-2010, 10:56 AM

Sitting at Tom Schaeffer's RV in Shoemakersville, PA, just south of Cabela's on I-78 and they are doing the recall. Both rear brakes had cracked rotors - large cracks like the photos someone posted before. Waiting to hear from Workhorse about who pays.

A question for those who know - if not as a result of stuck calipers, is it normal for these rotors to crack? The rotors still looked OK otherwise, and really were not worn very much.

Thanks!

Bounder 35R
2003 Bounder W22

retiredrlk1 · 10-20-2010, 11:59 AM

Recall completed
I just finished having the calipers changed under the recall at Tom Johnsons in Concord, NC. It did not take but 3 hours to do it. They tried to get me to pay $153.00 to have all the fluid flushed but I declined. I told them I could do it myself for $30.00. They were not happy about it but did a good job I guess, no problems yet. They would not let me watch because of insurance reasons but the mechanic said the rotors and pads were good. It would have been nice to see for myself since it is hard to remove the wheels and look at them.
Have a wonderful day to all.

62Morgan · 10-20-2010, 02:29 PM

The old insurance claim is being abused as it is intended for shop's liability should a customer become injured on the premises. You should have a customer's right to assess the damage with your own eyes especially since it's opened to view without your having to crawl underneath.

Why could you not have been granted a quick "see" of the rotors under the label of "consultation"? If the drive-thru door is open to the outdoors, it's not as hazardous as weaving in-and-out among shop debris enroute to see your brakes. A shop foreman escort to your vehicle, to the wheels, and back out to the waiting area. Three minutes tops.

I am personally responsible for the upkeep and need to "see" the remaining pad depth, the rotor surface to gauge the repair and future pad replacement interval based upon the remaining depth. To be told all is well gives me nothing of merit in my upkeep duties.

I have a major problem if I cannot personally verify my rotors' condition under this program. Are others finding this viewing prohibited as well?

DriVer · 10-20-2010, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bounder35R

A question for those who know - if not as a result of stuck calipers, is it normal for these rotors to crack? The rotors still looked OK otherwise, and really were not worn very much.

From the Bosch Pin Slide Manual:

Cracked Rotors
Braking surface cracks are radial cracks in the braking surface and rounding the edge of the rotor at the inside or outside diameter of the braking surface. These cracks are usually caused by severe brake use or braking imbalance, which shifts a greater share of the braking function to only a few brakes. The brakes performing the greater share of the braking will always show the greater rotor wear and will sometimes crack.

Cracked rotors must be replaced. If the rotor is not replaced, the cracks will accelerate lining wear and can eventually progress into the barrel section of the rotor and cause separation of the braking section from the mounting flange. After installing a new disc brake rotor, check the brake system for proper braking balance to prevent subsequent cracking.

I have not yet cracked a rotor so I don't expect that it's normal for the rotors to crack.

Father Mulcahy · 10-20-2010, 04:49 PM

Driver would you be so kind as to clarify 'cracks' on the rotors. I have seen posting with cracks that almost go through the rotor and then posting of what I would call spider web cracks. I have been told that the small spider web type cracks are normal for these rotors and not to worry. During the campaign will the rotors with spider type cracks be able to be re-surfaced or do they have to be replaced. I have 53000 miles on our 2003 W-22, never a brake over heat problem. However I have noticed the spider web cracks on my rotors long before and brake problems started surfacing on this forum.

Foulwx · 10-20-2010, 05:52 PM

To reply to my earlier post today, Workhorse denied paying for the cracked rear rotors. I expected this since I did not see any pad material stuck on the rotors, and that seems to be the criteria.

There were a bunch of spider type cracks, but each rotor had a major crack or more. I think my right rear had three. Tom Schaeffer's guys took me out to the work area to examine the rotors before proceeding, and I told them to change them no matter what. The front brakes were in good condition and may have been changed by the previous owner.

It took about 4 and a half hours roughly, and I kept going back intermittently to watch the work. The tech did a very good job and explained what he was doing. I think he's done about 50 sets himself so far.

Happy that it's over.

Bounder35R
2003 W22

DriVer · 10-20-2010, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Father Mulcahy

I have 53000 miles on our 2003 W-22, never a brake over heat problem. However I have noticed the spider web cracks on my rotors long before and brake problems started surfacing on this forum.

Father Mulcahy, Thank you for the question. Rotors that are cracked all the way through need to be replaced per the Bosch Pin Slide manual.

Rotors that exhibit minor surface cracking are considered to be normal and I would consider that having the rotor cut will improve the surface of the rotor to near stock condition.

In my own experience, at 65,000 miles I opted to have all 4 rotors replaced since I had new calipers and pads installed. (2.5 years ago) Today subsequent to the 51101-C my rotors looked great and didn't even need to be resurfaced.

JWatkins · 10-20-2010, 08:16 PM

Just heard from my Workhorse Service Center and they are replacing only my pads. They asked if I wanted them since I still had about 45% of my originals after 37,000 miles. I opted to go for it at $230.00 total. My rotors are spider webbed but not cracked.

They saw minor heat tracking on one.

Joe

DriVer · 10-20-2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWatkins

Just heard from my Workhorse Service Center and they are replacing only my pads. They asked if I wanted them since I still had about 45% of my originals after 37,000 miles. I opted to go for it at $230.00 total. My rotors are spider webbed but not cracked.

Joe, That price is just about right. I paid something like 115.00 for a set of pads for the rear axle. I kept the front ones in service for a little while longer.

deputydog · 10-20-2010, 08:54 PM

Anybody out there know what brand of brake fluid comes with the new calipers?

My dealer tells me the calipers are on backorder (imagine that after all this time) so while I wait, I am considering bleeding my brakes before the recall is done.

I had all 4 of mine replaced 7 months ago after two lockups at part WH cost and a bit over $800 of my money for all new calipers and pads. My system was bled by me just before that recall and then whatever bleeding that they do for the recall repair plus once just before they do the recall should pretty well clean up the system. I'd like to use whatever they are furnishing to be sure of compatibility. (yeah, I know all DOT 3 fluids are supposedly compatible, but the identical fluid would eliminate any question.

Also, what the heck are speedy bleeders? Do you use them to pressure bleed from the bottom or what?

Thanks

DriVer · 10-20-2010, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deputydog

Anybody out there know what brand of brake fluid comes with the new calipers?

Looks like Johnsen's Brake fluid. You can also use Prestone DOT3 synthetic off the shelf at Walmart.

Quote:

My dealer tells me the calipers are on backorder (imagine that after all this time) so while I wait, I am considering bleeding my brakes before the recall is done.

If your dealer was a Select Service Center he would have received calipers a palette at a time enough to do 20 coaches.

Quote:

I'd like to use whatever they are furnishing to be sure of compatibility. (yeah, I know all DOT 3 fluids are supposedly compatible, but the identical fluid would eliminate any question.

Like Mick would have said, "No worries!" Most all modern (current) DOT3 fluid at reputable distributors is the same stuff. Use GM 12377967 or equivalent.

Oemy's Super Duper Speed Bleeders (OSDSB)

Quote:

Also, what the heck are speedy bleeders? Do you use them to pressure bleed from the bottom or what?

Oemy's Speed Bleeders will allow you to one-man bleed your brakes. See his website. Look for Oemtech in this forum and check his signature.

Captain Bud · 10-21-2010, 03:59 AM

I had the recall completed this week and had the complete package done with an LOF for $1700+. Am I happy? Yes, I'm glad it's over with. Am I happy with Workhorse? No, I think this whole situation was a prime example in how not to handle a recall and how not to provide customer service. Will I buy another Workhorse? Probably not, and truthfully this is probably the last MH I will ever own, due to my age. But one can be assured that if anyone asks me about my MH, this horror story will be told and they can make up their own minds about the chassis.
I paid my money and had it fixed, and I can't be bothered with trying to collect a dime from Workhorse on who or what caused the problems.
Now if I decide to sell the rig, I can do it with honesty and integrity, without feeling guilty.
Standing by to receive the customary broadsides.....

Thudman · 10-21-2010, 06:10 AM

Or Valvoline DOT 3 & 4, as supplied to Tom Johnson, Marion, NC with my new calipers.

I was allowed to take these pix (& others) during various phases of the recall. I asked the CSR to accompany me to the shop & he obliged. The shop guys don't make the rules, just rqd to follow them. Same happened during my Basement A/C replacement. Coordination, not confrontation.

Thudman