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 09-11-2007, 10:10 AM   #1
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Breckenridge, CO
Posts: 187
Air Brake Problem

I have a 1989 Blue Bird TC 2000 with 235K miles. The air brakes have begun to act a little funny. Most of the time when I press the brakes the front left brake does not work until I break rather hard and it finally knocks fairly loudly and engages. I've adjusted the brakes with no inprovement. Any ideas.

__________________
1989 TC 2000; 235,000miles; 5.9 cummins with Alisson 545; Straight veggie burning with onboard filtration. Converting to a Toy Hauler for the summers racing motorcycles.
dlor1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2007, 07:27 PM   #2
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Breckenridge, CO
Posts: 187
Re: Air Brake Problem

Thanks Macguyver. Well once I've applied enough brake pedal and I hear the clunk, I have full breaking power. Once in a while all breaks function normally but not too often. Also when it does clunk and it's wet out it locks up the tire, so I would suspect that there's pressure buildup just that the shoe isn't pressing up against the drum.
__________________
1989 TC 2000; 235,000miles; 5.9 cummins with Alisson 545; Straight veggie burning with onboard filtration. Converting to a Toy Hauler for the summers racing motorcycles.
dlor1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2007, 08:43 PM   #3
Bus Geek
 
the_experience03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Saint James, MN
Posts: 2,669
Send a message via MSN to the_experience03 Send a message via Yahoo to the_experience03
Re: Air Brake Problem

I would give that chamber a good inspection. It sounds to me like the pushrod may be tweaked. There are other symptoms that could cause what you are describing. Start by liberally greasing the S-cams (and the steering components while you're up there) and closely inspecting the brakes through their travel. I have found this to be easiest with a partner actuating the treadle as this allows me to watch what the chambers are doing and spot excess runout, etc.
__________________
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/...09f20d39_m.jpg
Skooling it...one state at a time...
the_experience03 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2007, 09:06 PM   #4
Bus Nut
 
KC10Chief's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Edmond, OK
Posts: 529
Year: 1993
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International
Engine: 7.3 International diesel
Rated Cap: 60
Re: Air Brake Problem

I'm not familiar with air brakes, but it sounds like you have a caliper hanging up. It happens on hydraulic brakes. I can't imagine that a caliper for your bus would be too terribly expensive.
__________________
Matt
1993 International Carpenter 10 Window bus
7.3L diesel w/AT545
https://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...DSC02426-1.jpg
KC10Chief is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2007, 02:19 AM   #5
New Member
 
John Whelan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2
Re: Air Brake Problem

I agree with the lube solution, the clunk can also be caused by a seized s-cam roller [If you have older Eaton air brakes they use a 2 piece roller assembly] but I would definitely remove the drum and take a closer look.
John
__________________
Hello From Kamloops BC! Visit My School Bus Mechanic Blog Here > https://schoolbusmechanic.blogspot.com
John Whelan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2007, 09:46 PM   #6
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Breckenridge, CO
Posts: 187
Re: Air Brake Problem

greased all fittings and it has made it a little better but not proper. and I forgot to mentkon that sometimes when I use the brakes the pedal does not want to return all the way and the brakes drag slightly. Not a lot but drags bit, the pedal doesn't return all the way to the up position. I have to drive barefoot so I can pull the pedal back the last 1/8 in or so to disengage the brakes. any other idears?
__________________
1989 TC 2000; 235,000miles; 5.9 cummins with Alisson 545; Straight veggie burning with onboard filtration. Converting to a Toy Hauler for the summers racing motorcycles.
dlor1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2007, 06:25 PM   #7
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Breckenridge, CO
Posts: 187
Re: Air Brake Problem

Anyone know how to diagnose this brake problem if I check the valve? Or any pointers?
__________________
1989 TC 2000; 235,000miles; 5.9 cummins with Alisson 545; Straight veggie burning with onboard filtration. Converting to a Toy Hauler for the summers racing motorcycles.
dlor1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-26-2007, 07:07 PM   #8
Bus Geek
 
the_experience03's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Saint James, MN
Posts: 2,669
Send a message via MSN to the_experience03 Send a message via Yahoo to the_experience03
Re: Air Brake Problem

Try putting an air pressure gauge on a "tee" fitting inline between the supply line and the brake chamber itself. If it is retaining pressure you likely have a problem with the dump valve on the chamber itself or your treadle valve is not closing all the way and is allowing a small amount or pressure to get to the brakes.

If you determine that there is in fact pressure there then disconnect the "tee" from the chambers and put a plug in the open end of it. If it registers pressure after sealing it up you will know that the problem lies with the treadle or something else further upstream and not with the chamber.
__________________
https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/...09f20d39_m.jpg
Skooling it...one state at a time...
the_experience03 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
air brake 101...or how to fix/diagnois a stuck brake issue bansil Conversion General Discussions 16 06-28-2012 02:28 PM
Onan problem chev49 Conversion General Discussions 0 05-01-2012 09:46 AM
Air brake problem frank-id Everything Else | General Skoolie Discussions 5 02-14-2008 07:27 PM
login problem delbertinie Forum Admin | Account Help | Suggestion Box 1 08-11-2007 11:15 PM
I'm having a brake light problem... DGC3 Everything Else | General Skoolie Discussions 3 04-18-2007 07:37 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:44 PM.


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