| [GMCnet] Brakes??? [message #97473] |
Fri, 27 August 2010 10:27  |
gmc gmc
Messages: 69
Registered: May 2009
Karma: 0
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Hi again all... ok... wondering about brakes... I had brake light go on, I
have full fluid in both master cylinders... one was low... but all ok now
and holding fluids...
Does not stop real well! that normal??? Can I check brake pads? Can I use
3.5 ton floor jack and jack up a rear side and take wheels off and check
back drums somehow? then if bad can I replace them myself somewhat easily?
front brakes need checking? can I jack up front side with big floor jack?
thanks for all advices again
Mike
Madison, WI
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| Re: [GMCnet] Brakes??? [message #97480 is a reply to message #97473] |
Fri, 27 August 2010 10:53  |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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| gmc gmc wrote on Fri, 27 August 2010 09:27 |
Hi again all... ok... wondering about brakes... I had brake light go on, I
have full fluid in both master cylinders... one was low... but all ok now
and holding fluids...
Does not stop real well! that normal??? Can I check brake pads? Can I use
3.5 ton floor jack and jack up a rear side and take wheels off and check
back drums somehow? then if bad can I replace them myself somewhat easily?
front brakes need checking? can I jack up front side with big floor jack?
thanks for all advices again
Mike
Madison, WI
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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Hi Mike--if you had the brake light come on, then you had a significant pressure differential between front and rear. I'm now suspecting that you have air in the system even though the light is now off. Which reservoir was low--front chamber or rear chamber of the master cylinder? BTW the front chamber feeds the rear brakes and the rear chamber feeds the front brakes. It's also possible that the rear brakes need adjustment. If you just got the coach, I would pull the rear drums and have a look--keep in mind if you do that, you will also remove the rear bearings as well. It's probably a good time to check them anyway. It's all very conventional just like most cars of the 60's and 70's. As far as the front pads, all you need to do is remove the wheels and have a look. Yes, a 3.5 ton jack can lift the rears but make sure you put jack stands under there!! Try to jack under the cast iron bogie pin mount in the center between the two wheels.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Brakes??? [message #97481 is a reply to message #97473] |
Fri, 27 August 2010 10:55 |
jtblank
Messages: 237
Registered: June 2007
Location: Tulare, CA
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Mike,
Checking brakes not that hard but will be time consuming as jacking properly and wheel removal and re-torquing six wheels. Please lookup proper jacking procedures and use a redundant safety support to protect you from 6 tons falling. Front pad thickness can be observed without caliper removal, just look through the caliper slots. If front pads are thiner than say 3/16 I'd replace as you have already done half the work just looking at them. The rears require the removal of the drums along with the bearings and would be a great time to inspect and repack the bearings and inspection of wheel cylinders. Upon reassembly be sure you know the proper procedure for torquing the castle nut on the spindle.
It's not hard work and you will feel better knowing the condition of your braking system.... go for it.
Good luck
John Blankenship
'76 Palm Beach
Tulare, CA
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| Re: [GMCnet] Brakes??? [message #97529 is a reply to message #97473] |
Fri, 27 August 2010 17:01 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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| gmc gmc wrote on Fri, 27 August 2010 11:27 |
Hi again all... ok... wondering about brakes... I had brake light go on, I have full fluid in both master cylinders... one was low... but all ok now and holding fluids...
Does not stop real well! that normal??? Can I check brake pads? Can I use 3.5 ton floor jack and jack up a rear side and take wheels off and check back drums somehow? then if bad can I replace them myself somewhat easily?
front brakes need checking? can I jack up front side with big floor jack?
thanks for all advices again
Mike
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Mike,
You can indeed lift either the front center or either side with your 3-1/2 ton jack.
There is a serious consideration about lifting the rear that has not been brought up. . .
When you get the weight on the jack, let the air off. If you don't, you may damage a shock absorber.
Besides it is safer working around an unload airbag.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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