Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 05-24-2012, 08:06 PM   #1
Bus Geek
 
bansil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MNT CITY TN
Posts: 5,158
air brake 101...or how to fix/diagnois a stuck brake issue

so I went to move El Tortuga this evening to hook up the kayak trailer.
So I climbed behind the wheel and noticed first I still had 60lbs of pressure after about a week...cool
I fired her up and wandered around her as the engine warmed up and air pressure built up(amazing that you CAN wander in a vehicle)
I sat down,released the brakes,dropped into reverse,gave throttle....no movement..just the torque converter flashing up...crap!
put it back into nuetral
So I jumped out,and crawled under and looked....brake shoes still on the drums...so I looked at air chamber "rods" and noted there position,went inside and pulled brake release out.
I crawled back under her and noted position of "rods"...yup damn...they were moving but brakes not releasing.
I released air brakes and then:
I chocked all the tires...VERY IMPoRTANT!!!...I grabbed two ball pen hammers.I placed one one the brake shoe web and smacked it with the other hammer,a few wacks later they both released from the drums.
She shuddered when they released
I removed chocks and she was good to go.
After all the rain,I drove in for two days and the having it sit for a week "Bonded" the shoes to the drums with rust...so offf we went...
Just posting incase others have same issue

__________________
Our build La Tortuga
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
George S. Patton
bansil is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2012, 08:50 AM   #2
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Oregon/Philippines
Posts: 1,660
Re: air brake 101...or how to fix/diagnois a stuck brake iss

its another good reason why people should start there bus up and move it a bit every week or so.
__________________
Jesus Christ... Conversion in progress.
chev49 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2012, 07:39 PM   #3
Bus Nut
 
TygerCub's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 784
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Genesis
Engine: Detroit
Rated Cap: 14
Re: air brake 101...or how to fix/diagnois a stuck brake iss

Hmm. May have to take the Beast out this weekend whether I'm ready to go anywhere or not.
TygerCub is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2012, 10:31 PM   #4
Bus Crazy
 
bus-bro's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Whidbey Island, WA.
Posts: 1,109
Year: 1984
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: All American
Engine: 3208 na boat anchor
Rated Cap: 2
Re: air brake 101...or how to fix/diagnois a stuck brake iss

Yep. Best to get on the road and warm things up. I idled mine and moved it a bit every so often for years, but, then, on the big bus board luvrbus said it's best not to start 'em at all unless you run them under load.
bus-bro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2012, 11:34 PM   #5
Bus Geek
 
bansil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MNT CITY TN
Posts: 5,158
Re: air brake 101...or how to fix/diagnois a stuck brake iss

Quote:
Originally Posted by bus-bro
Yep. Best to get on the road and warm things up. I idled mine and moved it a bit every so often for years, but, then, on the big bus board luvrbus said it's best not to start 'em at all unless you run them under load.
I have to agree to a point,idling just loads them up,I have started to just chock the wheels since the park area is basically flat...this will allow moisture to evaporate and/or let humidity to do the same....mettalic or semi_mettalic brake linings still have some "metal" in them to rust together over time
__________________
Our build La Tortuga
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
George S. Patton
bansil is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2012, 02:09 AM   #6
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Oregon/Philippines
Posts: 1,660
Re: air brake 101...or how to fix/diagnois a stuck brake iss

i wont start a detroit 2cycle unless i am going to run it, not a good idea there. i will start a 4 cycle diesel like this cat engine or a excavator, etc and run them a bit. if you think about it, the smaller diesel engines, like in backhoes, etc often get started and run 15 min and shut off when you are working them.. and that doesn't seem to bother them at all. but that's not the brake thingy orig posted there..
if things dont get really warmed up in the exhaust pipe... maketh smoke -even n 4 cycle.
__________________
Jesus Christ... Conversion in progress.
chev49 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2012, 11:53 AM   #7
Bus Crazy
 
bus-bro's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Whidbey Island, WA.
Posts: 1,109
Year: 1984
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: All American
Engine: 3208 na boat anchor
Rated Cap: 2
Re: air brake 101...or how to fix/diagnois a stuck brake iss

If one wants/needs to start they're bus for short periods it would be best to change the engine oil every six months or so. When I was doing my bimonthly start-up and move a few feet routine I didn't change the oil for a couple of years. When I finally got around to changing the oil it looked fine, but had a peculiar plasticy smell to it. My fear would be the oil became acidic, and I've heard that 3208 bearing shells don't have much babbit in them and can easily be damaged by degraded oil. In my case, I hope I didn't destroy the bearings.
bus-bro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2012, 11:08 PM   #8
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Oregon/Philippines
Posts: 1,660
Re: air brake 101...or how to fix/diagnois a stuck brake iss

brakes may or may not set when air is off. it depends on the type and year of manufacture. Early systems and even some later transits would roll when the brakes were off. my 78 fxlible had an emergency brake lever as well, until i changed a couple of cans, etc.
__________________
Jesus Christ... Conversion in progress.
chev49 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2012, 01:05 PM   #9
Bus Crazy
 
bus-bro's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Whidbey Island, WA.
Posts: 1,109
Year: 1984
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: All American
Engine: 3208 na boat anchor
Rated Cap: 2
Re: air brake 101...or how to fix/diagnois a stuck brake iss

Quote:
Originally Posted by NoBusYet
If you have air brakes, don't they self-apply via spring once you park and the air drains out anyways? It might not be enough to hold the bus, but it would be enough for the brakes to rust stuck in the applied position. I've seen it happen to a few old transit busses before.
The spring brakes should hold a bus very well, if not, your brakes are out of adjustment. I suppose you could "cage" the spring brakes if you didn't want them to set. Under my new bus ops plan, it only runs and moves for some reason, which seems to be about every month. Haven't had any issuses with brake shoes stuck to drums yet.
bus-bro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-13-2012, 08:54 PM   #10
Moderator
 
crazycal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NUNYA
Posts: 4,236
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: 3800
Engine: DT408, AT545
Rated Cap: 23 500 gvw
Re: air brake 101...or how to fix/diagnois a stuck brake iss

I have never touched brakes on a bus but I would guess some lubrication might be required. On a car, parts of the caliper and bolts/pins get lube. Same when doing drum brakes.
__________________
I'm hungry!

You Gotta Let Me Fly
crazycal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2012, 08:16 AM   #11
Bus Nut
 
TheRainbowBoxer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Galion, OH
Posts: 290
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9 Cummins 12v
Rated Cap: 78 Passenger
Re: air brake 101...or how to fix/diagnois a stuck brake iss

I have the same issue right now with mine. Will try this solution.
__________________
-Dan

"What's the matter Col Sanders? Chicken?" -Dark Helmet

lu·di·crous [loo-di-kruhs]
adjective
causing laughter because of absurdity; provoking or deserving derision; ridiculous; laughable

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=11840
TheRainbowBoxer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2012, 09:03 AM   #12
Bus Geek
 
bansil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MNT CITY TN
Posts: 5,158
Re: air brake 101...or how to fix/diagnois a stuck brake iss

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheRainbowBoxer
I have the same issue right now with mine. Will try this solution.
Make sure you chock the wheels front and back it will move when the shoes release.

Make sure you have air builtup first.

You can actually see which shoes are stuck to the drums with a flashlight when brakes are released.

Good luck and be safe
__________________
Our build La Tortuga
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
George S. Patton
bansil is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2012, 10:15 AM   #13
Bus Nut
 
TheRainbowBoxer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Galion, OH
Posts: 290
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9 Cummins 12v
Rated Cap: 78 Passenger
Re: air brake 101...or how to fix/diagnois a stuck brake iss

Thanks for the tips, and safety is the #1 priority. I'm pretty sure I have no interest in being run by a 16000 pound vehicle.
__________________
-Dan

"What's the matter Col Sanders? Chicken?" -Dark Helmet

lu·di·crous [loo-di-kruhs]
adjective
causing laughter because of absurdity; provoking or deserving derision; ridiculous; laughable

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=11840
TheRainbowBoxer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2012, 10:27 AM   #14
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ellijay ga
Posts: 560
Year: 94
Coachwork: b/b
Chassis: tc2000
Engine: 5.9
Rated Cap: 72
Re: air brake 101...or how to fix/diagnois a stuck brake iss

A good 20lbs hammer will fix that,just sure u hit the slack ajuster sound like u slack ajuster needs to be greased,cornbindes are know for this(freezing up)
keith is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2012, 10:29 AM   #15
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Oregon/Philippines
Posts: 1,660
Re: air brake 101...or how to fix/diagnois a stuck brake iss

people need to keep their brake likeage lubricated. they do get stuck by the wheel, and thus the rust, dirt, etc also make them harder to adjust. even penetrating oil helps on the linkage for the air brakes, but doesnt help on the shoes...
__________________
Jesus Christ... Conversion in progress.
chev49 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2012, 01:32 PM   #16
Bus Geek
 
bansil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MNT CITY TN
Posts: 5,158
Re: air brake 101...or how to fix/diagnois a stuck brake iss

Rainbow did you get the brakes unstuck?
__________________
Our build La Tortuga
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
George S. Patton
bansil is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-28-2012, 02:28 PM   #17
Bus Nut
 
TheRainbowBoxer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Galion, OH
Posts: 290
Year: 1995
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9 Cummins 12v
Rated Cap: 78 Passenger
Re: air brake 101...or how to fix/diagnois a stuck brake iss

Have not had the chance to make the attempt. Will update this when I do ;)
__________________
-Dan

"What's the matter Col Sanders? Chicken?" -Dark Helmet

lu·di·crous [loo-di-kruhs]
adjective
causing laughter because of absurdity; provoking or deserving derision; ridiculous; laughable

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=11840
TheRainbowBoxer is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Brake issue? electromanj Mechanical and Drivetrains 4 05-01-2012 08:55 PM
Air Brake Help??? talk2cfs Ford Drivetrain 1 07-31-2010 07:12 PM
Screaming Noise of Death: air brake issue? BUSBOZO Conversion General Discussions 4 03-22-2010 09:24 PM
Brake Help!!! quizbus Conversion General Discussions 4 07-15-2008 08:37 PM
Brake issue phillbus914 Conversion General Discussions 5 10-02-2006 08:52 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:25 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.