1998 Damon Intruder Brake Failure Issue

[CaroleTrapp]

Hello I am new here and this is my first post.

This is a VERY LONG POST:

I NEED HELP PLEASE;

I am in desperate need of someone that could tell me what I need the repair shop to check.

I have been doing some research and reading since I purchased my 1998 Damon Intruder last year Aug 2019. Yet I still don't know what they need to look at.

I am having a problem with the brakes. The issue has happened two times, once when I drove and once when my daughter-in-law drove.

The issue is that the brakes have gone out, while trying to stop, and the parking brake will not hold when the RV is sitting on, an even very slight, incline.

1. The first time I had this issue I was driving it home when I purchased it in August 2019. I was, thankfully going slowly, trying to stop at an intersection and my brakes did not work. The petal went straight down with no engaging the brake. I pumped them several times and that helped some so to get me stopped. I parked it and had it towed to a shop.

The first shop thought it was the master cylinder and ordered the master cylinder but since they could not "get to it", it sat for 3 months, I had it towed to my home.

Then I had a RV guy come out and check it over, again. I had it checked out before I purchased it. This guy drove it around and the brakes were fine.

I didn't feel comfortable with just that check up so I took it to another RV shop. I drove it and that time the brakes were fine.

The shop said the master cylinder was find so they didn't install the new one I had already purchased. This shop drove it around and told me they "could not replicate the issue". So I paid the bill and took it home.

I had health issues and had to park it until last week Sept 2020.

2. I had a lock and door that needed fixing so my daughter-in-law drive it about 1.5 miles to the body shop and when she was driving the brakes went out again. Thankfully she was going very slow. When she parked and put on the park brake it would not hold and started sliding down.

The RV repair shop sent a guy to pick it up and I am waiting on them to let me know what they think again. The last time it cost me 550.00 for them to drive it.

[twinboat]

First, tell them to flush out the brake fluid. That involves bleeding out the old fluid while replacing it with new.

I would be surprised that that wasn't done or suggested yet.

Old RVs accumulate water in the fluid and when braking, the water boils to steam. Steam causes the pedal to go to the floor.

There are occasions when a bad master cylinder will also let the pedal go to the floor at random times.

Second, the parking brake is a whole other system. Many just need adjustment. Some need new brake shoes.

[swampdog2]

I agree with Twinboat ,first things first ! while that's being done the mechanic will more than likely notice any other problems.If you still have the new master cyl would be a good time to just go ahead and replace as you are bleeding the system anyway /

[CaroleTrapp]

Thanks. No never suggested or done.
I think being an Old Lady who didn't know anything does not help.

[EyezOpen]

Perhaps posting your location might be in order here, with a smidge of luck someone here may be able to refer you to a mechanic familar with that vintage and dependable. Older P30 brake systems are as simple and as basic as it can get.

[CaroleTrapp]

Wichita Kansas. Sorry for not posting this earlier.

[MtylerAZ]

I just had the same similar thing happening on my 91 Damon Challenger. The brake pedal would randomly go to the floor, with no stopping power. Ended up replacing the master cylinder and flushed out all the old brake fluid. Thing stops like new now. Mine sat for 5 years prior to me getting it, and I think the seals in it were going bad, act up when warmed up...

Also, if the parking brake isnt holding the RV still, have them check and adjust it. It should be holding regardless if the hydraulic brakes are working, its mechanical.

[Emma Mae]

Well isn't this a surprise! I looked online for this exact same information for my 98 Damon Intruder, and realizing the post is literally about my camper!! I bought this from my uncle who got it from the original poster! The camper still has the same issue and she is at the mechanics right now. She is at Pro-Tech Diesel in Texas. I'll ask them to flush the brake fluids first. The parking pawl might also be the cause for rolling while in parked. I'll keep you all updated on this matter! And Trapp, thank you for taking great care of the camper! I have been enjoying her a lot!