Community Forums

rocket051 · 09-21-2019, 02:33 PM

I over heated the brakes today. No I didn't have the engine brake on. NO EXCUSE.I wasn't towing, grade was long but not that steep. I was on and off brakes like you should be. Just didn't seem like Iwas on them that bad. Got to the stop light smelled em and some smoke. I've driven this coach cross country twice. I KNOW BETTER, PISSED AT MY SELF.

My question is how serious is this? the rest of the trip they seemed fine, however that was only a few miles and no hills.

1st-tt2018 · 09-21-2019, 02:43 PM

Time for a wheels off inspection of all components...probably replacing wear parts to be safe.
And evaluate health of the supply lines for heat damage.

twinboat · 09-21-2019, 02:46 PM

The smoke may be from a bad seal letting gear oil get on the brake shoes.

The smoke may be a blessing.

You can have them inspected without tearing it down. A brake guy will know what to look for from the removable backing plate.

rocket051 · 09-22-2019, 09:02 AM

Thanks for responding. absolutely getting the system checked out. We leave for the winter soon.

A Traveler · 09-24-2019, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocket051

I over heated the brakes today. No I didn't have the engine brake on....

Why?

I run with the Jake Brake switch on HIGH about 99% of the time.

FIRE UP · 09-24-2019, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocket051

I over heated the brakes today. No I didn't have the engine brake on. NO EXCUSE.I wasn't towing, grade was long but not that steep. I was on and off brakes like you should be. Just didn't seem like Iwas on them that bad. Got to the stop light smelled em and some smoke. I've driven this coach cross country twice. I KNOW BETTER, PISSED AT MY SELF.

My question is how serious is this? the rest of the trip they seemed fine, however that was only a few miles and no hills.

Ok rocket051,
I think you've learned your lesson, correct? They put those exhaust brakes and compression brakes on those engines/chassis' for a reason, to ASSIST in braking, correct? Well, by not using your exhaust brake, you over worked your service brakes. But, you and your rig survived. Now, in about 30-35 years of driving fire trucks, want-a take a guess on how many times I "smoked" the brakes? I myself lost track, early on.
It happened, not only to me but, many, many other drivers. Primarily because, way early on, it was due to over speeding and, poorly designed brakes. And in many cases, we had no auxiliary braking, like exhaust or Jake.

But, with the advent of new systems and powerful engines to utilize multi-step Jake brake systems, "smoken'um" basically disappeared. But, that was then. Anyway, about 99.99999999999% of the time, we continued to use those same smoked brakes for quite a while, before they were replaced. Yep, things surely got hot but, not ruined. It's definitely not a good idea. Yeah, I'd get them inspected but, I'd bet dollars to donuts, they're not ruined.

And, just for info, my exhaust brake does about 99.99999% of my slowing/stopping ALL the time. We have right close to 90K miles on our '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the CAT C-7 and I do my own inspections, wheels off and on. And at present, I'm still looking at 5/8" thick shoes, front and rear. I've heated mine up a time or two too. I suspect we've got at least, another 70K worth of miles on them, before I'd have to tear it down and replace them.
Scott

rocket051 · 09-25-2019, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE UP

Ok rocket051,
I think you've learned your lesson, correct? They put those exhaust brakes and compression brakes on those engines/chassis' for a reason, to ASSIST in braking, correct? Well, by not using your exhaust brake, you over worked your service brakes. But, you and your rig survived. Now, in about 30-35 years of driving fire trucks, want-a take a guess on how many times I "smoked" the brakes? I myself lost track, early on.
It happened, not only to me but, many, many other drivers. Primarily because, way early on, it was due to over speeding and, poorly designed brakes. And in many cases, we had no auxiliary braking, like exhaust or Jake.

But, with the advent of new systems and powerful engines to utilize multi-step Jake brake systems, "smoken'um" basically disappeared. But, that was then. Anyway, about 99.99999999999% of the time, we continued to use those same smoked brakes for quite a while, before they were replaced. Yep, things surely got hot but, not ruined. It's definitely not a good idea. Yeah, I'd get them inspected but, I'd bet dollars to donuts, they're not ruined.

And, just for info, my exhaust brake does about 99.99999% of my slowing/stopping ALL the time. We have right close to 90K miles on our '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the CAT C-7 and I do my own inspections, wheels off and on. And at present, I'm still looking at 5/8" thick shoes, front and rear. I've heated mine up a time or two too. I suspect we've got at least, another 70K worth of miles on them, before I'd have to tear it down and replace them.
Scott

CORRECT, You bet I have! I've really been beat'n myself up about it. I'd like to think that's my last lesson learned LOL but I know better. It goes in tomorrow to get checked out.
THANKS for taking the time to respond with the positive thoughts. I needed that. Alan

FIRE UP · 09-25-2019, 08:57 AM

Alan,
I was afraid you'd take much of my post as sort of disciplinary or, condescending. But, it appears you saw my meaning and ideals. Yeah, many of us diesel drivers have goofed up, MORE than a few times on our rigs but, also, many would NOT admit it on here if they were paid to. I could care less. But, it's all a learning experience for sure. If you get the opportunity, get right in there with the tech that's gonna do your inspection. Hopefully he's not a bozo and is not there to just throw new parts at your machine. Good luck.
Scott

znt1186 · 09-25-2019, 09:11 AM

Wouldn't worry about it too much. I had to lock up my brakes going through Atlanta a couple of years ago. The pedal didn't release completely and I drove on to Auburn, AL with the brakes dragging. Heated them up pretty good, but no smoke. Took it to Freightliner to check them, and they chuckled and said the shoes would go to at least 100K miles and heating them up didn't bother them at all. I still had them deglaze them, and never had any issue with stopping at all.

The main thing is that you made it down safely.

cataska · 09-25-2019, 06:46 PM

Big rigs smoke them all the time coming down the mountains in the west.

retiredusps6 · 09-25-2019, 07:00 PM

I really would not worry.Unless later on you smell gear oil. A wheel seal could be bad.I drove Gasoline trailers from 1977 thru the late 90's. Stop and go traffic long hills you could smell the brakes. Once cooled down full braking power returned. Check to see if you smell gear oil if not you should be fine. If you feel lose of stopping power get them checked out.

rocket051 · 09-26-2019, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE UP

Alan,
I was afraid you'd take much of my post as sort of disciplinary or, condescending. But, it appears you saw my meaning and ideals. Yeah, many of us diesel drivers have goofed up, MORE than a few times on our rigs but, also, many would NOT admit it on here if they were paid to. I could care less. But, it's all a learning experience for sure. If you get the opportunity, get right in there with the tech that's gonna do your inspection. Hopefully he's not a bozo and is not there to just throw new parts at your machine. Good luck.
Scott

Scott

Welllll............. ALL GOOD:

It was already done when I got there. I’m in a small town, not too many places to get work done on these. Small shop, well organized cleaner then most, good people there and here, Scott. Happy motoring, safe travels. So we can shut this thread down. THANKS TO ALL WHO RESPONDED.