Brake Light July 05, 2019, 10:22:24 pm I was headed out to the farm to put the LD in the machine shed & noticed the brakes felt really soft as I drove through town...like almost having to stand on the brake pedal. The warning lights were not on. The minivan had a flat tire & I couldn't get the bin open where the compressor lives, & then realized I didn't have the big orange cord to reach from the LD to the tire anyway , so shut up the shed & headed back to town & the warning lights were on at that point. There was NO puddle of anything in the driveway at the house when I got back to town to put the LD in its spot.Read the manual , which says it's low on brake fluid, dangerous to drive, & get it to a service tech ASAP. My regular mechanic here in town for the minivan & pickup won't work on the LD because he doesn't want his shop clogged up with something that size, which I understand, & I've not had a good experience with the local Ford dealership, so my LD service tech is an hour+ away...can I top off the brake fluid to safely drive to the tech? I'll read the manual, but I know I've read various discussions here about oil--is brake fluid brake fluid or are there any particular preferences for brake fluid?Thx in advance--LynneOh, RE: the bin--I sprayed WD40 into the keyhole, but it ain't budging ...any other thoughts on dealing with a recalcitrant lock?Thx, again,
Re: Brake Light Reply #1 – July 05, 2019, 10:58:47 pm Hello Lynne,First thing I’d try is another key. Failing that ...Which door lock is the problem? On our MB, I can or could get access to three (3) of the basement doors that are above the floor from inside the Rig. Then I’d be able to unscrew the locking latch. If the problem is a bin below the basement floor then that’s another matter. If it was me, I’d first try a can of spray cleaner with a straw nozzle followed by a penetrating oil. Then I’d let it sit for several hours. If all else fails, you could drill out that lock. Since those are standard locks, a replacement lock will work with the same key. And replacing those locks is like replacing a lightbulb. If you decide to drill out the lock and need guidance, please post a follow-up.Hope this helps. 1 Likes
Re: Brake Light Reply #2 – July 06, 2019, 12:39:22 am When a key suddenly doesn't work...they are pretty reliable (simple) so unless somebody jammed something in the keyhole, suspect something else. You could have had something shift inside the compartment, fall down on the cam, and prevent it from moving. That is when you hope that you can get to the lock from inside. No amount of grease will fix this. Does the key go in OK? Does it rotate at all? Back to Brakes. I recommend Dot 4 fluid. It has a higher boiling point than Dot3. If you could have had rat activity, they can chew through the rubber brake line. You would lose all braking action on part of your wheels. That would make the brakes not work very well, but I don't think they would feel mushy, or soft. If it is just low add new fluid up to the 'max' fill line. RonB 1 Likes
Re: Brake Light Reply #3 – July 06, 2019, 01:13:54 am If the other tips don't work, break the lock by putting a screwdriver in it and turn hard. We found this on he internet when we had one that would not budge and this worked well. Then put in a new lock (easy to install).You can get the new one rekeyed so the same key opens then all. JaneSent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone 2 Likes
Re: Brake Light Reply #4 – July 06, 2019, 09:32:46 am Thx, all. The key inserts fine, but doesn't turn at all. I've another bay that the key didn't turn, but the whole mechanism rotated (thumb handle & all), so it did open & looked a bit rusty; I'm going to dose that with WD40.Thx also for the Dot4 recommendation. Will it be safe to drive an hour+ after filling the brake fluid? I don't have critters around the house here in town & haven't had anything chew on the van/pickup innards, but that doesn't preclude the LD being victimized, so I'll pass that thought on to the tech.Guess I'll try the screwdriver before trying to drill it out--both as a last resort--maybe the screwdriver would be less damaging to the paint on the lock.Lynne
Re: Brake Light Reply #5 – July 06, 2019, 10:01:35 am Check the brake fluid level, but if it is in the normal range, DON'T add any! Unless the reservoir is empty, adding any more will not help. If the level is ok, check your power steering pump reservoir. That does NOT take brake fluid, so check the manual for recommendations.Steve 1 Likes
Re: Brake Light Reply #6 – July 06, 2019, 10:09:59 am Quote from: Jane and Scott - July 06, 2019, 01:13:54 amYou can get the new one rekeyed so the same key opens then all.Those locks have a common key. In other words, these keys open all similar locks. There’s no need to rekey. 1 Likes
Re: Brake Light Reply #7 – July 06, 2019, 10:51:24 am "In other words, these keys open all similar locks."It's an industry wide standard, not common to Lazy Daze alone. In other words you could use your key to open the compartments of many other brands, as well as they could use their keys to open your compartments. Kinda scary, no? I've actually done this on at least one occasion!
Re: Brake Light Reply #8 – July 06, 2019, 07:09:26 pm If you are going to rekey the lock(s), switching to round keys will eliminate everyone else having a key to your rig's compartments.the company listed below is good source of locks, use the online chart that allows comparing the old locks parts so you purchase the right size new lock.Products – Industrial Lock & HardwareMeasuring Guide – Industrial Lock & Hardware Measuring Chart Now to your brakes, I wouldn't drive my LD if the brakes barely work and you shouldn't either.Running into something with a 14,000-lbs RV could cause a lot of death and destruction.Brakes just don't go soft and/or need fluid without a reason. If the pedal is soft and goes to the floor, this is a danger sign that shouldn't be ignored. At a minimum, the brakes needs to bleed of air, the normal cause of a soft pedal. You need a hard pedal if you are going to drive it to a shop. The parking brake doesn't count.Your LD's brakes are hydraulically boosted and the problem could be in the power steering pump or the hydraulic brake booster, all stuff most shade tree mechanics have little experience with.If me, I would use my Coach Net membership and have it towed to a brake shop or truck repair shop than can handle a rig of your size .Larry 3 Likes
Re: Brake Light Reply #9 – July 06, 2019, 07:41:25 pm Quote from: Ed & Margee - July 06, 2019, 10:09:59 amThose locks have a common key. In other words, these keys open all similar locks. There’s no need to rekey. CH751 key code. One of the few little things that annoy me about LDs. Anything but the crap that the other brands use would be nice. At least its easy enough to change.
Re: Brake Light Reply #10 – July 07, 2019, 03:40:13 am Thx, Larry & all. This means a change of plans for Monday...I didn't want to mow, anyway.Lynne
Re: Brake Light Reply #11 – July 15, 2019, 03:28:12 pm Hello Lynne. Do you have an update on your Rig’s repair? Got my fingers crossed.
Re: Brake Light Reply #12 – July 15, 2019, 06:16:20 pm Hi, Ed--Thx for checking on me; it's still a bit far off...my regular guy still didn't want to expend the space in his shop for a rig that size, which I do understand; the local Ford dealer wouldn't take me, either--same excuse, though he had a Cheetos delivery truck that looked darn near the size of mine in the shop. I've got an appointment with another independent shop here in town on Aug 2, & fingers crossed that some of the negative things I've heard don't pan out.I added nearly a quart of the DOT3 fluid noted on the cap of the brake fluid reservoir, & had a new observation, since we've been without rain for so long: what I'd thought was a water puddle under the passenger duallies seems to be an oily-ish spot. I got out Dad's creeper, raised the feet as far as they'd go, & rolled underneath. I can't find anything dripping, but there seemed to be a couple of drip spots on the inside dually.More to follow when I get to the shop.Lynne
Re: Brake Light Reply #13 – July 15, 2019, 08:00:12 pm Lynne, put a beer sign on the side of your LD and tell your Ford dealer you’ll give him free samples! 😉 1 Likes
Re: Brake Light Reply #14 – July 16, 2019, 01:40:35 am Greg, I spent five years at Mizzou getting a BSEd & MEd, & trying, but never successfully passing Beer 101 . I eventually decided I'd rather have my calories in chocolate or pizza --maybe a sign for chocolate pizza on the LD... I wasn't terribly impressed with the local Ford dealer when I was looking for a replacement farm truck a few years ago, which was why I'd originally taken the LD to a Ford truck dealership in the Kansas City metro for service, 'til I discovered the independent shop over at Osborn.Lynne 1 Likes
Re: Brake Light Reply #15 – July 16, 2019, 09:00:30 am Quote from: Lynne Broyles-Greenwood - July 16, 2019, 01:40:35 amGreg, I spent five years at Mizzou getting a BSEd & MEd, & trying, but never successfully passing Beer 101 . I eventually decided I'd rather have my calories in chocolate or pizza --maybe a sign for chocolate pizza on the LD... LynneThe problem ,as I see it, was all you sampled was Falstaff and Budweiser. Sad intimation of real beer IMHO. Defender of the real beer makers in the PNW,glen
Re: Brake Light Reply #16 – July 16, 2019, 11:27:56 am Quote from: colddog - July 16, 2019, 09:00:30 amDefender of the real beer makers in the PNW,glenI hope by that you don't mean Oly and Rainer Ale.Truth of the matter is a lot of people in a lot of places found you can make a decent living running a microbrewery and make decent brew. For example, June Lake Brewing which I discovered last month serves credible stouts to a 30 mile radius and Mraz Brewing in El Dorado Hills is 3 miles from home and fills growlers. 2 Likes
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