Re: Help! ... Speedometer Failure Update Reply #25 – February 21, 2013, 01:35:42 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136985"This is one of the few advantages my 01 E-350 based LD has. It uses the 4R100 trans but has the old cable operated drum e-brake. That and slightly better gas mileage are the only advantages I can see of the old e-350 chassis."Bob Interesting, so it seems that the transmission mounted mounted brake was used in the wide body models(99" wide),equipped with the 4R100 transmission. Earlier wide body LDs, with the E40D transmission, used a conventional rear axle parking brake. The 23.5' models did not get the wide-body chassis until 2003, with the 26.5' and 30' models going to the wide chassis in 1996. Guess I need to look under more LDs to get the dates straight. Sure cannot find much information online on in the Ford shop manuals.Larry
Re: Help! ... Speedometer Failure Update Reply #26 – February 21, 2013, 02:27:16 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136988A friend gave me a useful tip to find a mechanic that is familiar with E450's. Check with a paramedic and see where the ambulances are serviced. Those mechanics see plenty of E450's that get a lot of use, and they have the space/tools to handle them. Maybe it was a fluke, but this strategy worked for me. The mechanic I found checked the parking brake oil level without even being asked Rich '03 MB
Filling the Parking Brake Reservoir Reply #27 – February 21, 2013, 03:02:29 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136990On Thu, 21 Feb 2013 18:50:59 -0000, "Larry" wrote:QuoteI strongly suggest that LD owners print the photos and take them to Ford or their mechanics to 'prove' that it exist. Larry, I copied your pictures and text and made a Word doc to take to my dealer. If you or anyone else wants a copy, you may PM message me.Cheers, Don
Re: Help! ... Speedometer Failure Update Reply #28 – February 21, 2013, 03:16:16 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136991"Larry" wrote: Most Ford mechanics do not know about the transmission mounted parking brake so I have photos showing where it is and how to check it. http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/sets/72157627503762313/> I strongly suggest that LD owners print the photos and take them to Ford or their mechanics to 'prove' that it exist. I have heard of many cases where the mechanic, even Ford's, will deny it's existence....right Joan? --- ;-) "The parking brake on your motorhome doesn't have a lube reservoir". "Yes, it does, and this photo shows the location. The plug is coppery-colored, and he reservoir fluid - if it's low or dry - is Mercon ATF." "I can't see it." "I'll show you." ..... "Oh. Huh; never knew that was there."Joan
Re: Help! ... Speedometer Failure Update Reply #29 – February 21, 2013, 03:34:16 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136993My 1998 SOB, with a 1997 E350 chassis, has rear drum brakes instead of disk brakes, so I and others with the drum brakes don't need to worry about it. Who knew drum brakes might have some advantages? Still, they've been up to the task for 180,000 miles, even when pulling a 2500 lb trailer.Eric Greenwell
Re: Help! ... Speedometer Failure Update Reply #30 – February 21, 2013, 04:06:48 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136994The rear brakes
Re: Help! ... Speedometer Failure Update Reply #31 – February 21, 2013, 04:59:23 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136995To add to the confusion, 1996 and older 26.5' and 30' models (whith the 14,050 lbs GVW) were called the E350 Super Duty. In 1997, it became the E450. The 23,5' model were built on the E350 (11,000 lbs GVW) until switching to the E450 in 2003. Never have figured out why they had two E350s with major differences besides the added GVW.Larry
Re: Help! ... Speedometer Failure Update Reply #32 – February 21, 2013, 09:03:28 pm Yahoo Message Number: 136997"A friend gave me a useful tip to find a mechanic that is familiar with E450's. Check with a paramedic and see where the ambulances are serviced. Those mechanics see plenty of E450's that get a lot of use, and they have the space/tools to handle them." Great idea! A couple of years back I had to have my fuel pump replaced in Ft Collins, CO while we were traveling. This Ford dealer had 5 service bays for E-450's and did a lot of EMS and similar vehicles. In the area where I live there are 18 Ford dealers but only 4 of them will deal with E-450's. Of the 4, 3 of the dealers only will take vehicles that are 22 feet or less in length. That leaves one dealer that will service motor homes, which means that he is generally very busy. Haven't found a good independent mechanic yet.Doug[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Help! ... Speedometer Failure Update Reply #33 – February 22, 2013, 06:16:34 am Yahoo Message Number: 136999On Wed, Feb 20, 2013 at 11:50 PM, David Roderick davidmichael3639@...Quotewrote:**Hi Gale, Many thanks for your email regarding the speedometer. Good to know that you finally had yours fixed. Now I know how perplexing the speedo can be. Mine was a bit of a challenge, but in the end we solved the problem by moving the LD from Larry Green Ford to Mead Auto and RV Service in Blythe. The owner-mechanic (Hamp) correctly diagnosed the problem within an hour, after the original Ford tech spent two days searching for the cause and trying various parts. I didn't have much confidence in the original diagnosis, thus the reason for the move. In all fairness, it was much more complicated than we all originally thought as the speed sensor and gear box wouldn't work because of a cracked emergency brake disk assembly inside of which is a sensor. The replacement parts were $2200. Got out of there for about $2800. We drove it to Casa Grande this afternoon and it purrs like a kitten. So I'm a happy camper with a big dent in our emergency funds. I checked with two other techs from Sanderson Ford in Phoenix and elsewhere before making the final decision to go ahead with the new parts and installation. Our only other alternative was to hire a tow from Blyth to Glendale (Sanderson Ford) for an additional $750 (180 miles). Fortunately, Mead Auto and RV were excellent and I totally recommend them. I'll summarize our findings from our experience tomorrow to tidy things up for this message board.Regards, Daviid Thanks for the follow up. Glad to hear you are back om the road..Sure makes a difference when you find someone who is more than a parts changer... It would be great if you had some pictures for Larry.Garry[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Help! ... Speedometer Failure Update Reply #34 – February 22, 2013, 09:40:54 am Yahoo Message Number: 137003Great photos Larry and comments regarding the parking brake. Never would have guessed since most of us depend on the expertise of the Ford mechanics. Thanks for the notes. David__ From: Larry lw5315us@...> To: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2013 10:50 AM Subject: [LD] Re: Help! ... Speedometer Failure Update"Larry Wade has frequently mentioned the need to check the oil level inside the parking brake unit, and that Ford service facilities often are unaware of this. This may be the reason the unit failed."Steve The David's 1998 LD, with the E40D transmission has a rear axle paring brake, which uses a drum brake cast inside the rear rotors. In 1999 Ford switched to the new 4R100 transmission which has a drive-shaft parking-brake, mounted on the rear of the transmission. Sometime around 2008, Ford switched back to the conventional rear axle parking brake, I'm still trying to sort out the dates on the switchover. IMO, the rear axle parking brake is much better and cheaper system, for many reasons. I do recommend checking the transmission mounted parking brake's oil reservoir's level annually or when changing the engine oil. If the the unit runs dry, it's a $2000+ replacement plus it is a rare part, used for only a few years in the E450 and no other Ford truck or van. It is a sealed unit and not repairable. If it does fail, it will leave the MH not drivable until replaced. Most Ford mechanics do not know about the transmission mounted parking brake so I have photos showing where it is and how to check it. http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/sets/72157627503762313/> I strongly suggest that LD owners print the photos and take them to Ford or their mechanics to 'prove' that it exist. I have heard of many cases where the mechanic, even Ford's, will deny it's existence....right Joan?LarryWebRep currentVote noRating noWeight[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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