Brakemaster 9000 Failure

[diesel-dan]

Hi all - long time lurker and learner here, but seldom have anything I can add to or help with. Well now I do:

I have only found a few references to this problem so I thought I would highlight it for others who use the Roadmaster Brakemaster 9000 system for their TOAD brakes.

I have an older Brakemaster 9000 pedal actuator cylinder that the Quick Exhaust port blew out on (it is on the opposite side on the fitting attached to the cylinder where the supply air goes in). This means a wide open air brake line whenever you apply service brakes on the coach, no braking on the TOAD and no working break-away. Most coaches air compressors would be able to handle making the extra air, but interestingly, enough air went into the cylinder to push the brake pedal forward enough that I would still get a "working" brake light signal.

My bet is Roadmaster knew of this as they have a re-designed part to replace the Quick Exhaust Valve. But you have to buy it: around $30... When I spoke to them about this being a concern, they said it "didn't happen very often". Well that's comforting...

Another good reason to check the operation of your TOAD brake system - especially ones with the Brakemaster 9000, EVERY time you hook the TOAD up, and probably often when you stop. I will be from now on....

Fortunately I had a spare pedal actuator, but it is also with the old exhaust valve - so it looks like I will be buying some (more) spares...

Happy trails...

[Pigman1]

If it were mine, I'd file a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety defect report. https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/ I'd also make sure Roadmaster received a copy of the report, either in writing or electronically. You might get a bit more help that the stupid remark you got from them when you reported it the first time.

[rgvtexan]

Dan

How old is an older unit? When did RM start using the new valve?

The brake activation and light check is done at every stop.
Breakaway tested at every hookup.

Thanks

[diesel-dan]

Originally Posted by rgvtexan

Dan

How old is an older unit? When did RM start using the new valve?

The brake activation and light check is done at every stop.
Breakaway tested at every hookup.

Thanks

I actually don't know the age of the unit as I bought it and the spare as part of a package with a Blue Ox tow bar (the person I bought it all from was the original owner and just raved about how reliable the Brakemaster was). I can say this: the serial number on the cylinder is in the 4 thousands whereas the second unit I have is in the 10 thousand something range.

I had found a thread somewhere where this had happened to another Brakemaster user and he replaced an $8 part. I disassembled the Quick Exhaust side of the fitting that failed, as it appears to be serviceable. I found that the rubber "valve" was decomposing: soft, mushy feeling. Roadmaster said the part was not serviceable, when I spoke with them. So at some point they stopped selling that rubber part and have a redesigned whole inlet/quick exhaust now. You can look up the part and tell if yours has it because the two are physically different. I plan to replace both of mine...

Link to new part at Etrailer:
https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...450601-50.html

[diesel-dan]

Originally Posted by Pigman1

If it were mine, I'd file a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety defect report. https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/ I'd also make sure Roadmaster received a copy of the report, either in writing or electronically. You might get a bit more help that the stupid remark you got from them when you reported it the first time.

I think I will do just that, to be honest, I expected Roadmaster to just send me the part. And the reason I posted up this thread is I searched all over (Googled my tail off), and just wasn't finding reports of this. And folks should know about it!

[Mr_D]

I have three of the brake cyl units, have never looked at that valve. Guess I better check it although being widowed makes it harder to do.

[Damion]

I purchased my brake master used off of eBay and the exhaust valve was bad on it when I got it, the rubber flapper inside look like a wad of chewing gum I would assume the wrong oil I've been used and dissolves the rubber. Probably should be part of our daily check before heading out.

[diesel-dan]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

I have three of the brake cyl units, have never looked at that valve. Guess I better check it although being widowed makes it harder to do.

I put together a "tester" of sorts so I could test the second unit without installing it: I got a female brakemaster quick connect coupler and transitioned it to a standard air compressor male quick connect coupler.

It is handy because I can also now test the whole TOAD system by myself by just hooking it to my compressor in my garage...

Still uncomfortable with what the "life" of these are...

[diesel-dan]

Originally Posted by Damion

I purchased my brake master used off of eBay and the exhaust valve was bad on it when I got it, the rubber flapper inside look like a wad of chewing gum I would assume the wrong oil I've been used and dissolves the rubber. Probably should be part of our daily check before heading out.

Tell me more about the oil? Is there something on the air side that should be oiled on these? Also: how did you fix yours, was the rubber flapper piece still available?

Thanks....

[Damion]

Originally Posted by diesel-dan

Tell me more about the oil? Is there something on the air side that should be oiled on these? Also: how did you fix yours, was the rubber flapper piece still available?

Thanks....

I replaced the whole exhaust valve. The Ebay seller paid for it, about $30

There is always a slight amount of oil in air from any piston type air compressor.
If compressor goes bad there can be a lot of oil.

[burfurd]

The best price I have found for the quick exhaust valve is from Cleaners Supply. Below is the price including shipping.

Stock #
Product
Unit

Quantity

Price Per Unit

Total

PRT440 1-1
Humphrey 1/8 Quick Exhaust Valve (SQE-1)
Each

1

$15.90

$15.90

Subtotal:

$15.90

Tax:

$0.00

Shipping:

$3.83

Handling:

$0.00

Grand Total:

$19.73

burfurd

[diesel-dan]

Originally Posted by burfurd

The best price I have found for the quick exhaust valve is from Cleaners Supply. Below is the price including shipping.

Stock #
Product
Unit

Quantity

Price Per Unit

Total

PRT440 1-1
Humphrey 1/8 Quick Exhaust Valve (SQE-1)
Each

1

$15.90

$15.90

Subtotal:

$15.90

Tax:

$0.00

Shipping:

$3.83

Handling:

$0.00

Grand Total:

$19.73

burfurd

Well that should teach me to be patient and wait for some info back from the community. I not only bought 2 valves from etrailer (I did do a search on the part number and couldn't find it elsewhere), for a whole $66 delivered... I ALSO went on eBay and bought an entire "almost new" cylinder that came with the new style valve...

Oh well, in the grand scheme of things a hundred bucks is nothing compared to what everything else costs on these rigs...

[rgvtexan]

I found these at my local WW Grainger.

https://www.grainger.com/product/19H...180417222527:s