Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Brake Fluid Low
| Brake Fluid Low [message #322893] |
Mon, 28 August 2017 22:10  |
Dan
Messages: 99
Registered: August 2014
Location: Allentown, NJ
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I got around to paying attention to My GMC for the first time in about 10 months. After doing some cleanup and replacing some filters the coach started right up. When I went to move it I had virtually no brakes. It had brakes when I parked it last fall. I took a look at the Master Cylinder and the front reservoir was empty. I toped it off pumped the brakes and drove up and down the driveway a few times and the brakes returned to normal as far as I can tell. I then took it for a few mile ride to get gas. I could not find a leak at the lines, but I did not pull the wheels off. All the rubber lines are fairly new, the metal lines are original. I have 80mm front calipers stock rear breaks.
My question is it this something I should be worried about? I have no idea why the fluid would leak down just sitting there, but I guess its possible they leaked down slowly during use and I never noticed it. I don't believe I ever topped off the fluid after replacing the brake parts and getting the coach road worthy a few years ago. Thanks for your input!
Dan
Dan DeLuca
1978 Eleganza II (http://imgur.com/gallery/YFHhK)
Parked at Evil Monkey Farm in
Allentown, New Jersey
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| Re: Brake Fluid Low [message #322894 is a reply to message #322893] |
Mon, 28 August 2017 22:27  |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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Lines could be rotted with very slow leak or wheel cylinders could be leaking when sitting.
Most fluid will he on linings etc and not on ground ---yet
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: Brake Fluid Low [message #322904 is a reply to message #322893] |
Tue, 29 August 2017 05:30 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Rear wheel cylinders can leak alot of fluid without any visable.
Front reservoir is normally for the rear brakes.
You could keep a really close eye on it. But you have an issue that will probably get worse.
Even though the job kinda sucks, rear brake cylinder are inexpensive to replace if they are the problem.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: [GMCnet] Brake Fluid Low [message #322906 is a reply to message #322893] |
Tue, 29 August 2017 06:45 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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If you reversed the lines to the reservoir when you installed the 80mm
front calipers, the front reservoir will go down as the front pads wear.
If you didn't check the level before parking, that may be the answer.
Ken H.
On Mon, Aug 28, 2017 at 11:10 PM, Daniel DeLuca wrote:
> I got around to paying attention to My GMC for the first time in about 10
> months. After doing some cleanup and replacing some filters the coach
> started right up. When I went to move it I had virtually no brakes. It
> had brakes when I parked it last fall. I took a look at the Master
> Cylinder
> and the front reservoir was empty. I toped it off pumped the brakes and
> drove up and down the driveway a few times and the brakes returned to normal
> as far as I can tell. I then took it for a few mile ride to get gas. I
> could not find a leak at the lines, but I did not pull the wheels off. All
> the rubber lines are fairly new, the metal lines are original. I have
> 80mm front calipers stock rear breaks.
>
> My question is it this something I should be worried about? I have no
> idea why the fluid would leak down just sitting there, but I guess its
> possible
> they leaked down slowly during use and I never noticed it. I don't
> believe I ever topped off the fluid after replacing the brake parts and
> getting
> the coach road worthy a few years ago. Thanks for your input!
>
> Dan
>
> --
> Dan DeLuca
> 1978 Eleganza II (http://imgur.com/gallery/YFHhK)
> Parked at Evil Monkey Farm in
> Allentown, New Jersey
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: Brake Fluid Low [message #322911 is a reply to message #322893] |
Tue, 29 August 2017 08:26 |
Dan
Messages: 99
Registered: August 2014
Location: Allentown, NJ
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So normally the front reservoir is for the rear brakes? I don't think I switched the lines, but it is possible. It sure seamed like it was the front brakes that were not working in the driveway. I'll have to pull there rear drums. I do hate jacking the coach up. Thanks!
Dan DeLuca
1978 Eleganza II (http://imgur.com/gallery/YFHhK)
Parked at Evil Monkey Farm in
Allentown, New Jersey
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| Re: [GMCnet] Brake Fluid Low [message #322924 is a reply to message #322911] |
Tue, 29 August 2017 10:00 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Yes, the front reservoir originally served the rear brakes. You'd probably
remember if you swapped them because it would have been necessary to
acquire thread adapters to make the swap.
You need to check those rear brakes. Remember when you jack the rear to
release the pressure from the air bags as soon as the jack under the bogie
takes the weight, otherwise you may damage the shock absorbers. Placing a
12" x 3" steel bar (spring leaf) in the bogie beneath the suspension arms
will make the required jacking distance much less.
HTH,
Ken H.
On Tue, Aug 29, 2017 at 9:26 AM, Daniel DeLuca wrote:
> So normally the front reservoir is for the rear brakes? I don't think I
> switched the lines, but it is possible. It sure seamed like it was the
> front
> brakes that were not working in the driveway. I'll have to pull there
> rear drums. I do hate jacking the coach up. Thanks!
> --
> Dan DeLuca
> 1978 Eleganza II (http://imgur.com/gallery/YFHhK)
> Parked at Evil Monkey Farm in
> Allentown, New Jersey
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Brake Fluid Low [message #322952 is a reply to message #322924] |
Tue, 29 August 2017 15:48 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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On Tue, Aug 29, 2017 at 8:02 AM Ken Henderson
wrote:
> Yes, the front reservoir originally served the rear brakes. You'd probably
> remember if you swapped them because it would have been necessary to
> acquire thread adapters to make the swap.
>
> You need to check those rear brakes. Remember when you jack the rear to
> release the pressure from the air bags as soon as the jack under the bogie
> takes the weight, otherwise you may damage the shock absorbers. Placing a
> 12" x 3" steel bar (spring leaf) in the bogie beneath the suspension arms
> will make the required jacking distance much less.
Read here
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/jacking-up-the-gmc-hooks-2c-ramps-n-stuff/p2278.html
>
> HTH,
>
> Ken H.
>
>
> On Tue, Aug 29, 2017 at 9:26 AM, Daniel DeLuca wrote:
>
>> So normally the front reservoir is for the rear brakes? I don't think I
>> switched the lines, but it is possible. It sure seamed like it was the
>> front
>> brakes that were not working in the driveway. I'll have to pull there
>> rear drums. I do hate jacking the coach up. Thanks!
>> --
>> Dan DeLuca
>> 1978 Eleganza II (http://imgur.com/gallery/YFHhK)
>> Parked at Evil Monkey Farm in
>> Allentown, New Jersey
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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| Re: [GMCnet] Brake Fluid Low [message #322957 is a reply to message #322952] |
Tue, 29 August 2017 16:10 |
 |
USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Ken,
I'll add my $0.02!
If you put the steel bar in and don't bleed off the bag pressure you WILL bend the steel bar!
Who was the dummy that did that at your place - oops it was me!
BTW I remember you showing me the bogie that came off Double Trouble when it was owned by Skip and Mary Newhouse. IIRC it was cracked. Among the tools in Double Trouble when I bought it I found two aluminum blocks which were 3/4" thick that fit between the bogie and the bogie arm. They were better than a leaf spring because they were thicker so you wouldn't have to jack up the bogie as much to remove the tire. However, if you didn't let off the pressure they would not bend and would transfer all the force from the air bags into the bogie.
Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of gene Fisher
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2017 6:48 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Brake Fluid Low
On Tue, Aug 29, 2017 at 8:02 AM Ken Henderson
wrote:
> Yes, the front reservoir originally served the rear brakes. You'd probably
> remember if you swapped them because it would have been necessary to
> acquire thread adapters to make the swap.
>
> You need to check those rear brakes. Remember when you jack the rear to
> release the pressure from the air bags as soon as the jack under the bogie
> takes the weight, otherwise you may damage the shock absorbers. Placing a
> 12" x 3" steel bar (spring leaf) in the bogie beneath the suspension arms
> will make the required jacking distance much less.
Read here
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/jacking-up-the-gmc-hooks-2c-ramps-n-stuff/p2278.html
>
> HTH,
>
> Ken H.
>
>
> On Tue, Aug 29, 2017 at 9:26 AM, Daniel DeLuca wrote:
>
>> So normally the front reservoir is for the rear brakes? I don't think I
>> switched the lines, but it is possible. It sure seamed like it was the
>> front
>> brakes that were not working in the driveway. I'll have to pull there
>> rear drums. I do hate jacking the coach up. Thanks!
>> --
>> Dan DeLuca
>> 1978 Eleganza II (http://imgur.com/gallery/YFHhK)
>> Parked at Evil Monkey Farm in
>> Allentown, New Jersey
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] Brake Fluid Low [message #322960 is a reply to message #322957] |
Tue, 29 August 2017 16:50 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Another bad spot is the combination valve If you still have the iron valve, while you are there, change to the bronze combination valve. Water will rust up the iron one. Causes interesting brake problems
Tom, MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: Brake Fluid Low [message #322972 is a reply to message #322893] |
Tue, 29 August 2017 20:07 |
Dan
Messages: 99
Registered: August 2014
Location: Allentown, NJ
Karma: 0
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Thank you for the picture of the steel bar and the Bogie. I have read many times how to use one when jacking up the coach but never really understood. I have a piece of cast iron that I could cut to length. hopefully this makes jacking up the rear a little less troubling. Is a 3 ton floor jack adequate?
Dan
Dan DeLuca
1978 Eleganza II (http://imgur.com/gallery/YFHhK)
Parked at Evil Monkey Farm in
Allentown, New Jersey
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| Re: [GMCnet] Brake Fluid Low [message #323004 is a reply to message #322972] |
Wed, 30 August 2017 17:03 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Dan,
Yes, a three ton floor jack is adequate.
See my message 3 Ton Floor Jack on sale.
Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Daniel DeLuca
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2017 11:07 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Brake Fluid Low
Thank you for the picture of the steel bar and the Bogie. I have read many times how to use one when jacking up the coach but never
really understood. I have a piece of cast iron that I could cut to length. hopefully this makes jacking up the rear a little less
troubling. Is a 3 ton floor jack adequate?
Dan
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] Brake Fluid Low [message #323016 is a reply to message #323011] |
Wed, 30 August 2017 18:38 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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I found two pieces of aluminum about 3/4" thick in Double Trouble that fit between the bogie arms and the bogie box.
Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Jerry Burt
Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2017 9:05 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Brake Fluid Low
Cast iron is not the same as a piece of leaf spring or even cold roll steel. (which will bend) If it fails, it does not bend, but
breaks. I wouldn't
use it.
Dan wrote on Tue, 29 August 2017 18:07
> Thank you for the picture of the steel bar and the Bogie. I have read many times how to use one when jacking up the coach but
never really
> understood. I have a piece of cast iron that I could cut to length. hopefully this makes jacking up the rear a little less
troubling. Is a 3 ton
> floor jack adequate?
>
> Dan
--
Patti & Jerry Burt
73 Gmc 26' Canyon Lands -
77 Palm Beach
Members: FMCA - GMCMI - GMCWS - Pacific Cruisers - 49ers
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] Brake Fluid Low [message #323018 is a reply to message #323016] |
Wed, 30 August 2017 18:55 |
emerystora
Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Those blocks are what Tom Warner used to ship.
Emery Stora
> On Aug 30, 2017, at 5:38 PM, Rob Mueller wrote:
>
> I found two pieces of aluminum about 3/4" thick in Double Trouble that fit between the bogie arms and the bogie box.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> The Pedantic Mechanic
> Sydney, Australia
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
> USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Jerry Burt
> Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2017 9:05 AM
> To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Brake Fluid Low
>
> Cast iron is not the same as a piece of leaf spring or even cold roll steel. (which will bend) If it fails, it does not bend, but
> breaks. I wouldn't
> use it.
>
> Dan wrote on Tue, 29 August 2017 18:07
>> Thank you for the picture of the steel bar and the Bogie. I have read many times how to use one when jacking up the coach but
> never really
>> understood. I have a piece of cast iron that I could cut to length. hopefully this makes jacking up the rear a little less
> troubling. Is a 3 ton
>> floor jack adequate?
>>
>> Dan
>
>
> --
> Patti & Jerry Burt
> 73 Gmc 26' Canyon Lands -
> 77 Palm Beach
> Members: FMCA - GMCMI - GMCWS - Pacific Cruisers - 49ers
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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