| My Brakes Have Faded Away [message #68826] |
Tue, 29 December 2009 20:52  |
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WD0AFQ
Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.
Karma: 207
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Senior Member |
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I have had good brakes for the past 4 years. On our trip to Arizona they just faded away, somewhere back in Arkansas. I have so little braking power that I can't get the Roadmaster Brakepro to work in the toad. As long as I anticipate my stops I can pretty much stop the thing. If I jump on the pedal with all I have there is no way to stop the rig from 60 mph in less than 75 yards, maybe more. I can slow it but have to let it roll to a stop on its own. Anyone ever had this happen?
Dan
3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers
One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm
355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng.
Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System
Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows
Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer
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| Re: My Brakes Have Faded Away [message #68827 is a reply to message #68826] |
Tue, 29 December 2009 21:01  |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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""I have had good brakes for the past 4 years. On our trip to Arizona they just faded away, somewhere back in Arkansas. I have so little braking power that I can't get the Roadmaster Brakepro to work in the toad. As long as I anticipate my stops I can pretty much stop the thing. If I jump on the pedal with all I have there is no way to stop the rig from 60 mph in less than 75 yards, maybe more. I can slow it but have to let it roll to a stop on its own. Anyone ever had this happen?
Dan ""
Dan--what does the pedal feel like--is the travel more than before, is the pedal hard when you depress it?
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: My Brakes Have Faded Away [message #68828 is a reply to message #68826] |
Tue, 29 December 2009 21:02 |
Craig Lechowicz
Messages: 541
Registered: October 2006
Location: Waterford, MI
Karma: 0
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Dan wrote:
>I have had good brakes for the past 4 years. On our trip to Arizona they just faded away, somewhere back in Arkansas
Dan,
I haven't had that happen, but if I understand the situation right, the pedal does not go all the way to the floor, yet even much higher than normal pedal pressure doesn't result in much stopping. If I got that description right, it sounds like either a detached or leaking vacuum line between the power brake booster and the intake manifold, or the power booster itself is bad. If the line is leaking, the engine idle will be affected as well.
Craig Lechowicz
'77 Kingsley, Waterford, MI
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| Re: [GMCnet] My Brakes Have Faded Away [message #68829 is a reply to message #68826] |
Tue, 29 December 2009 21:01 |
Dennis S
Messages: 3046
Registered: November 2005
Karma: 2
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Dan,
After a stop, check your front rotors for heat to see if you only have rear brakes.
Dennis
Dennis Sexton
73 GMC
Germantown, TN
USA
-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Gregg <gregg_dan@hotmail.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Tue, Dec 29, 2009 8:52 pm
Subject: [GMCnet] My Brakes Have Faded Away
I have had good brakes for the past 4 years. On our trip to Arizona they just
aded away, somewhere back in Arkansas. I have so little braking power that I
an't get the Roadmaster Brakepro to work in the toad. As long as I anticipate
y stops I can pretty much stop the thing. If I jump on the pedal with all I
ave there is no way to stop the rig from 60 mph in less than 75 yards, maybe
ore. I can slow it but have to let it roll to a stop on its own. Anyone ever
ad this happen?
an
-
an & Teri Gregg
danandteri.blogspot.com
///Halon Automatic Fire Extinguishers
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MCnet mailing list
ist Information and Subscription Options:
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Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
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| Re: [GMCnet] My Brakes Have Faded Away [message #68830 is a reply to message #68826] |
Tue, 29 December 2009 21:25 |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
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Dan,
Sounds like only the rears are working, if that. IIRC, you carry one
of those laser guided temp guns. Check the drums and the rotors to
see if anything is working.
On Tue, Dec 29, 2009 at 7:52 PM, Dan Gregg <gregg_dan@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> I have had good brakes for the past 4 years. On our trip to Arizona they just faded away, somewhere back in Arkansas. I have so little braking power that I can't get the Roadmaster Brakepro to work in the toad. As long as I anticipate my stops I can pretty much stop the thing. If I jump on the pedal with all I have there is no way to stop the rig from 60 mph in less than 75 yards, maybe more. I can slow it but have to let it roll to a stop on its own. Anyone ever had this happen?
> Dan
> --
> Dan & Teri Gregg
>
> danandteri.blogspot.com
>
>
>
> ///Halon Automatic Fire Extinguishers
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Steve Ferguson
'76 EII
Sierra Vista, AZ
Urethane bushing source
www.bdub.net/ferguson/
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| Re: [GMCnet] My Brakes Have Faded Away [message #68842 is a reply to message #68832] |
Tue, 29 December 2009 23:09 |
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WD0AFQ
Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.
Karma: 207
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| Mr ERFisher wrote on Tue, 29 December 2009 21:56 |
did you adjust the rear brakes every trip???
That is what I had to do to keep good brakes
went to disks
gene
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No, I have done nothing to the rear brakes but look at them a couple of times since they were new, 25,000 miles ago. Last time was about 2,000 miles ago and they looked good. I have fairly new pads on the front. They are easy and cheap so I replace them even when they dont need it.
I hate working on brakes so I don't, I pay for that. I will look at the booster tomorrow to see how hard it looks like it might be to replace. Maybe I can find someone out here to do it. The master cylander has 25,000 miles on it also.
Now, here is something I might add. When I installed the electric vacuum pump it would cycle on ever 2-4 minutes and run for 10 seconds. Some kind of leak in the system. Had not had any problems with the brakes so I did not worry too much about it.
Now, I worry about it.
Dan
3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers
One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm
355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng.
Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System
Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows
Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer
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| Re: [GMCnet] My Brakes Have Faded Away [message #68843 is a reply to message #68842] |
Tue, 29 December 2009 23:29 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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| WD0AFQ wrote on Tue, 29 December 2009 23:09 |
| Mr ERFisher wrote on Tue, 29 December 2009 21:56 |
did you adjust the rear brakes every trip???
That is what I had to do to keep good brakes
went to disks
gene
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No, I have done nothing to the rear brakes but look at them a couple of times since they were new, 25,000 miles ago. Last time was about 2,000 miles ago and they looked good. I have fairly new pads on the front. They are easy and cheap so I replace them even when they dont need it.
I hate working on brakes so I don't, I pay for that. I will look at the booster tomorrow to see how hard it looks like it might be to replace. Maybe I can find someone out here to do it. The master cylander has 25,000 miles on it also.
Now, here is something I might add. When I installed the electric vacuum pump it would cycle on ever 2-4 minutes and run for 10 seconds. Some kind of leak in the system. Had not had any problems with the brakes so I did not worry too much about it.
Now, I worry about it.
Dan
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If you are driving down the road not using the brakes, and the vacuum pump cycles, then you have a leaking booster or a bad line between the vacuum pump or a bad / cracked check valve. The check valve is the plastic thing the plugs into the brake booster with the vacuum hose it.
Call me at home if you are up. You know the area code, number is 988-4547.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] My Brakes Have Faded Away [message #68853 is a reply to message #68847] |
Wed, 30 December 2009 03:29 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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I'll wait to hear from you tomorrow. Tell me what happens. If all else fails I can install the new one I have here and send you my good removed one.
Looks like I'll go to New York next Wednesday the 6th and be back by Saturday the 9th. So I could probably get mine installed before I go if you need the removed one.
I still hope to head your way the following week.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] My Brakes Have Faded Away [message #68854 is a reply to message #68853] |
Wed, 30 December 2009 03:32 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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Does anyone know if our brake booster is unique to the GMC or can one from anohter GM product like a Toro or something be used?
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] My Brakes Have Faded Away [message #68866 is a reply to message #68854] |
Wed, 30 December 2009 07:34 |
bobby5832708
Messages: 237
Registered: November 2006
Location: Winter Springs FL
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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Ken,
I believe the brake booster assembly is a motorhome-only part due mainly to the pedal-to-booster pushrod. This is info I got a few months ago while talking to the guy who builds Jim Bounds brake boosters.
Bob Heller
2017 Winnebago 29VE
Winter Springs FL
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| Re: [GMCnet] My Brakes Have Faded Away [message #68869 is a reply to message #68866] |
Wed, 30 December 2009 07:49 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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My experience has been that if the front brake circuit fails, your pedal travel will increase dramatically even though you still have rears. However, if the rears are out of adjustment or have a failure, the increase in pedal travel won't be as severe. When the rears aren't adjusted, the increase in travel is so gradual that it can sneak up on you and unlike the fronts, you won't notice any drop in the fluid level. Before assuming that it is the booster, I'd make sure the rest of the system is ok. Frequent cycling of the vacuum pump can be due to causes other than the booster. Double check the vacuum hose that goes to the booster as well. If your idle speed hasn't gone up noticeably, I doubt there's a vacuum leak (assuming your still running a carburetor). Even though the fronts do a lot of work, non-working rears will be very noticeable.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: My Brakes Have Faded Away [message #68874 is a reply to message #68826] |
Wed, 30 December 2009 08:46 |
gbarrow2
Messages: 765
Registered: February 2004
Location: Lake Almanor, Ca./ Red Bl...
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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Dan,
As others have said, I have found that keeping the rears adjusted makes a big difference in stopping ability.
Another possible vacuum leak source is a rubber plug about the size of a quarter on the front of the booster.
On mine it is near the top and partially hidden by the booster mounting bracket.
Mine has failed twice in the past so I keep a spare. Duct tape will make a temp fix till you can get to a brake shop for a replacement plug.
Not all boosters have the extra hole requiring the plug.
Gene Barrow
Lake Almanor, Ca.
1976 Palm Beach
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| Re: My Brakes Have Faded Away [message #68897 is a reply to message #68894] |
Wed, 30 December 2009 11:04 |
George Beckman
Messages: 1085
Registered: October 2008
Location: Colfax, CA
Karma: 11
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Senior Member |
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| Jim Wagner wrote on Wed, 30 December 2009 08:54 |
Hey Dan,
I wired a mometary switch to the dash on our GMC that mimics the break-away switch on the toad. This switch when made brings on the toad Buddy Brake.
The other option you have is to have Teri sit on the GMCs rear bumper and pull the break-away switch cord whenever she sees the GMC brake lights come on. The ONLY problem I see with this how quickly Teri can jump off the bumper and reinsert the break-away plug when you are ready to drive off.
Jim Wagner
Brook Park, oh
"I have so little braking power that I can't get the Roadmaster Brakepro to work in the toad"
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Got a good laugh from Ruth and I. Watching over her shoulders could cause neck spasms. Maybe Teri could sit on the hood of the toad. That way, she can see the brake lights and work on putting the plunger back in while Dan is roaring away. I suggest goggles, too.
'74 Eleganza, SE, Howell + EBL
Best Wishes,
George
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