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[GMCnet] Vacuum brake boost [message #241925] Sat, 01 March 2014 17:13 Go to next message
rvandcabarkley is currently offline  rvandcabarkley   United States
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My 1976 Eleganza II requires a heavy foot on the brake. I am a third owner
of the coach and don't know if the vacuum brake booster has every been
replaced. Could this be the reason for the hard brakes?



Ron Barkley

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Re: [GMCnet] Vacuum brake boost [message #241930 is a reply to message #241925] Sat, 01 March 2014 17:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
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Yes,

Buy a "sensitized" Brake booster from either Jim K. or Jim B.


Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
Re: [GMCnet] Vacuum brake boost [message #241932 is a reply to message #241925] Sat, 01 March 2014 18:03 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bullitthead is currently offline  Bullitthead   United States
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Turn the engine off and see if it made any difference in the braking effort and feel. You'll have to use up residual vacuum (if there is any) with a few pedal pumps and see if the pedal is harder. Do this on a deserted highway if you can find one(or late at night). Then (when you have come to a stop)with your foot on the brake, start the engine and see if the pedal goes down any farther when the engine runs. If the engine vacuum is making a difference you can feel, you have answered your question. Vacuum boosters are not prone to be faulty, usually very reliable and long lasting. Most of the time corrupted by leaking master cylinder or long periods of non-use.

Harder pedal/higher effort braking can also be caused by glazed brake shoes and pads and burnished rotors and drums.



Terry Kelpien ASE Master Technician 73 Glacier 260 Smithfield, Va.
Re: [GMCnet] Vacuum brake boost [message #241933 is a reply to message #241925] Sat, 01 March 2014 18:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
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Ron,

I agree with Ken vis-à-vis the booster and would like to add that Dave Lenzi is building sensitized boosters as well; here's a link
to his contact information:

http://www.bdub.net/lenzi/index.html

I copied the following out of Maintenance Manual X-7525 for you:

POWER CYLINDER TROUBLE DIAGNOSIS CHART
Before checking the power brake system for the source of trouble, refer to the trouble diagnosis of drum and disc brakes. After
these possible causes have been eliminated, check for the cause as outlined in the following chart:

CAUSE - REMEDY

Broken or damaged hydraulic brake lines - Inspect and replace as necessary

Vacuum Failure - Check for:

Faulty vacuum check valve or grommet - Replace.

Collapsed or damaged vacuum hose - Replace.

Plugged or loose vacuum fitting - Repair

Faulty air valve seal or support plate seal - Replace

Damaged control valve - Replace

Bad stud welds on front or rear housing or head - Replace, unless easily repaired

Defective diaphragm - Replace

Restricted air filter element - Replace

Worn or badly-distorted reaction disc - Replace reaction disc

Incorrect reaction disc - Replace with correct disc

MASTER CYLINDER, WHEEL CYLINDER AND DRUM BRAKES TROUBLE DIAGNOSIS CHART

EXCESSIVE PEDAL PRESSURE REQUIRED TO STOP VEHICLE

CAUSE - REMEDY

Brake adjustment not correct - Adjust brakes.

Improper lining - Install factory specified shoes

Improper shoes -Install factory specified shoes.

Grease or fluid soaked linings - Correct cause and replace linings, if necessary. Replace.

Rusted wheel cylinder - Check wheel cylinder piston and boot for damage.

Wheel cylinder link incorrectly aligned - Install link

Compensating port not cleared - Check pedal linkage, stop light switch adjustment

Brake pedal binding on shaft - Lubricate with Delco Brake Lube #5450032 (or equivalent)

Glazed linings - Sand surface of linings

Bellmouthed, barrel-shaped or scored drums - Replace or resurface drums in left and right hand pairs.


SINGLE PISTON DISC BRAKES TROUBLE DIAGNOSIS CHART

EXCESSIVE PEDAL EFFORT - DISK BRAKES

CAUSE - REMEDY

Malfunctioning power brake - Check power brake and repair if necessary

Partial system failure - Check front and rear brake system and repair if necessary. Also check brake warning light,
if a failed system is found and light did not function, repair as necessary.

Excessively worn shoe and lining - Check and replace in axle sets

Piston in caliper stuck or sluggish - Remove caliper and rebuild or replace

Fading brakes due to incorrect lining - Remove and replace with original equipment lining

Regards,
Rob M.
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426

-----Original Message-----
From: Ron & Carol Barkley

My 1976 Eleganza II requires a heavy foot on the brake. I am a third owner
of the coach and don't know if the vacuum brake booster has every been
replaced. Could this be the reason for the hard brakes?

Ron Barkley

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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
Re: [GMCnet] Vacuum brake boost [message #241935 is a reply to message #241930] Sat, 01 March 2014 18:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Larry is currently offline  Larry   United States
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Location: Menomonie, WI
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Ken Burton wrote on Sat, 01 March 2014 17:45

Yes,

Buy a "sensitized" Brake booster from either Jim K. or Jim B.


Good suggestion, but I would buy it from Dave Lenzi. He has worked out some of the "Sensitized Booster" issues that have been a problem with some of the OEM and particularly the sensitized metric boosters. I have one on my coach along with a OEM MC and have excellent brakes. For more info on this, do a Search of "Sensitized Booster" in this forum. This was discussed about a month ago and we don't need to go into detail again. JMHO


Larry Smile
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
Re: [GMCnet] Vacuum brake boost [message #242080 is a reply to message #241925] Sun, 02 March 2014 19:37 Go to previous message
Bob de Kruyff   United States
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Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
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Senior Member
rvandcabarkley wrote on Sat, 01 March 2014 16:13

My 1976 Eleganza II requires a heavy foot on the brake. I am a third owner
of the coach and don't know if the vacuum brake booster has every been
replaced. Could this be the reason for the hard brakes?



Ron Barkley

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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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It can be but there may be basic problems with the system overall. I would make sure everything else is in shape before resorting to just covering it up with a sensitized booster.


Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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