Parkin Break follow up July 20, 2014, 04:55:22 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147497Hi Group, After reading all these post I crawled under our motor home to see if I was included in this problem....... Sure enough, it looks like I have a leak, however, the leak is on the underside of the chassis directly above the parking break drum as if centrical force has sprayed it up there. The fluid does not look recent but I was able to wipe it off with a little labor and some cleaner.I've located what I believe to be the bolt /plug for the ATF filler hole but I've been unable to loosen and remove it. This bolt (3/4" socket) is directly behind the drum, on the drivers side and above the main housing. What appears to be a breather plug is on the top of the housing.Questions:1. Do you think I have the correct plug? Nothing else looks even close 2. Any suggestions on how to loosen the plug so I can add ATF or at least inspect the level?We're currently camped in the Moresfield Campground at Mesa Verdi National Park. As most everyone would be I'm a little afraid to drive the coach now that I've discovered this problem. One last question, does anyone know a shop that is close to our location that might be able to do the work? Sorry to lean on everyone for some help but it sure would be appreciated.....Ted Collmar
Re: Parkin Break follow up Reply #1 – July 20, 2014, 05:32:44 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147498Hi Ted,if you can, take a look at Terry Tanner's Technoz website and look at the parking brake maintenance file. There you will see a photo of the E450 parking brake and the correct plug that you loosen to check the fluid level. I think he mentions that you need an 11/16" socket. If you are using a 3/4" socket you might round off the plug.If you get that plug loose and if fluid starts seeping out as you loosen the plug, you have enough fluid in there so you can just tighten it up. If no fluid comes out you need to add fluid. I don't remember the year of your rig but I think it is a bit older than mine (2003); mine came with Mercon trannsmission fluid in the tranny and the parking brake. I think you can still buy Mercon (I seem to think Castrol still sells a Mercon/Dexron fluid). I would not mix Mercon with Mercon V unless I heard from Ford that it is ok.I suppose you could get by with a leaky parking brake as long as you keep an eye on the fluid level. BUT if you forget to monitor it and it runs out or too low, you may turn an expensive repair into a potentially VERY expensive repair (tranmission replacement!)Steve K
Re: Parkin Break follow up Reply #2 – July 20, 2014, 06:17:35 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147499Hi Steve Thanks for the reply. The socket I was using most likely was 11/16 because it fit perfect. I was guessing about the 3/4 when I was writing the post. I didn't actually look at the size when under the coach I just picked one until it fit. Sorry for now being specific. Can you give me Terry Tanner's Technoz website URL. I can't seem to fine it anywhere with any search. My plug is in very tight and it's in very close quarters. Real hard to get any leverage. The other thing that always makes me crazy when I'm on my back looking up is LEFT is to loosen right?"Lefty loose righty tighty" LOL. I'm so stupid sometimesTed
Re: Parkin Break follow up Reply #3 – July 20, 2014, 06:21:20 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147501"Do you think I have the correct plug?" --- Please read post #s 147492 and 147487; the information and links to photos will answer your questions!Joan
Re: Parkin Break follow up Reply #4 – July 20, 2014, 09:27:57 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147504Steve, I was just sending you a comment and my screen shot back to the yahoo group home page......Anyway, short and to the point. I got the plug loose and fluid started coming out so I have fluid in the unit but it was not pink, it was brownWould you think I'm good to dive 15 miles into Cortez CO and have he ford dealer take a look ? Would never hold you responsible, just looking for some outside courage !Ted Collmar
Re: Parkin Break follow up Reply #5 – July 21, 2014, 07:12:33 am Yahoo Message Number: 147511Ted, as long as you have fluid in there, which you said you did, you should be good to drive.If you read Larry's excellent tutorial on this subject and Terry's file on his Technoz group, you should realize that you can continue using your rig with a small leak but you do need to check the fluid level and add more when needed. I've not heard of this leak being more than an occasional drip; you just need to monitor it. The big problems I've read about have been from finding out you have a leak after the unit has overheated.A word to the wise; folks pay attention to the ground under your rig. If you see a wet spot, around the size of a quarter roughly along the centerline of your rig and just behind the driver's seat, you probably have a leaky parking brake an dneed to have the fluid level checked.Steve K.
Re: Parkin Break follow up Reply #6 – July 24, 2014, 07:56:14 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147604Hey SteveWanted to give you a update.D&L Service in Cortez did a complete inspection, took about an hour. Checked the fluid condition and fluid level pronounced everything good to go and wouldn't let me pay them anything. Good bunch of people there.It seems it was like Larry said could be the problem with excess fluid and a little had leaked out and after taking the fill plug out and back in any leak has stopped.You can bet its something hat is now on my annual check list for sure. Missed a bullet on this one.Thanks for all do your help and comments. It helped take the edge off my anxiety.Thanks againTed Collmar
Re: Parkin Break follow up Reply #7 – July 24, 2014, 08:12:41 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147605Ted, I wished that we had been so lucky to catch our parking brake problem in time. However, I received the good news this afternoon that our new transmission, brake unit and other replacement equipment has arrived in Albany, Oregon today. Hopefully, I'll drive my 600 miles once more with a rental and return home with our Lazy Daze again early next week. An expensive lesson but "Life goes on" and we continue to enjoy the road with ourL D.Aad Rommelse
Re: Parkin Break follow up Reply #8 – July 24, 2014, 09:34:15 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147606Hey Aad, I felt so sad to read about all the trouble you're having. Having said that, your problems are what encouraged me to take a look at my own ebreak.Sure wish yours had turned out better. Know that I some way you may have helped us avoid the same problemTed Collmar
Re: Parkin Break follow up Reply #9 – July 25, 2014, 11:22:29 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147612Hi You All, Both Mary and I were happy to receive a call today that our Lazy Daze is ready to be picked up in Albany, Oregon. Although I do not know the total cost yet, it will be an expensive lesson learned and especially since this subject is covered somewhere in the "Owners Manual" of the year models 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001. Since our Lazy Daze is a 2001 model I did not search any further. My lesson learned this time is to study and pay more attention to the "Owners Manuals" of all our vehicles, including our Lazy Daze chassis. May I suggest this to all E-450 owners? Sunday morning I'll be happily driving my rental car 600 miles north again and return home in our rig with a new transmission and parking brake. And......the fun goes on!!!!!!!!!!Aad
Re: Parkin Break follow up Reply #10 – July 26, 2014, 12:37:49 am Yahoo Message Number: 147613YuyuhbybyvyvtvfdcvfgrfffvGo out on the limb, that is where the fruit is.
Re: Parkin Break follow up Reply #11 – July 26, 2014, 10:15:52 am Yahoo Message Number: 147617Hi Ted,Glad to hear you found a good place to get your parking brake checked. I seem to remember that before you went on the road full time, you lived in NE Ohio. If you find yourself back in the Strongsville area, "Weber & Son" repair service is the place where I had my parking brake rebuilt. They seem able to service just about everything on an RV too, even appliances.Enjoy your life on the road, Steve K.
Re: Parkin Break follow up Reply #12 – July 29, 2014, 06:59:32 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147674Yes Steve, we did live in Strongsville before moving to Sun City West, AZ and retiring. We on the road about half the time now. While in Ohio, I did use Weber & Sons. They do excellent workHope to see you on the road somedayTed C
Re: Parkin Break follow up Reply #13 – July 30, 2014, 10:59:05 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147693Hi You All, Well, I am happy to report that our 2001 Lazy Daze, with her fourth transmission, is up and running again. It was quite an experience and education. The shop in Albany, Oregon did a great job and they were very cooperative and accomodating. Although the total bill for labor and materials, including a factory-rebuilt transmission and completely new parking brake unit, was in excess of $ 6,000.--, it was not exactly a regular parts-replacement job. The transmission output shaft, on which the brake unit is attached, had to be burned off from the old transmission, which was running just fine before. For those interested I do have these parts at home and can make some pics, if so desired. To illustrate the amount of ignorance about servicing these brake units, I had to contradict the shop manager. Even he was of the opinion that the fluid in this unit was fed by the transmission, instead of having its own reservoir. It was another lesson learned. Mary and I are moving on to enjoy our Lazy Daze again. We hope that our experience benefits other Ford E-450 owners.Aad Rommelse
Re: Parkin Break follow up Reply #14 – July 31, 2014, 12:39:10 am Yahoo Message Number: 147695A painful hit Aad but we are glad to hear you and Mary are back on the road.-Bill&Jane Lynch
Re: Parkin Break follow up Reply #15 – July 31, 2014, 07:54:57 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147703"To illustrate the amount of ignorance about servicing these brake units, I had to contradict the shop manager. Even he was of the opinion that the fluid in this unit was fed by the transmission, instead of having its own reservoir"AadI hope your experience motivates readers to add checking the parking brake reservoir on their annual or semi-annual maintenance list. Ambulance and RV mechanics are the only ones that seem to know about the E450's parking brakes .Larry
Re: Parkin Break follow up Reply #16 – August 01, 2014, 12:27:52 am Yahoo Message Number: 147705After reading this thread, I looked through my 2005 SOB (2004 E450 chassis) owner's handbook and maintenance book. Nothing about checking the fluid in the parking brake, so I put a "sticky" note in the maintenance book at the appropriate mileage, so I'll remember to check it.Eric Greenwell [lifewithalazydazerv] wrote, On 7/31/2014 4:54 PM:
Re: Parkin Break follow up Reply #17 – August 01, 2014, 10:26:54 am Yahoo Message Number: 147706Eric, Although we own a 2001 Ford E450 model I did a little research on this subject. From 1997 through 2001 there was a reference to the parking brake under "Capacities and Specifications". You may find it in your 2005 SOB too. Check it out.Aad
Re: Parkin Break follow up Reply #18 – August 01, 2014, 07:59:14 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147724I searched the PDF version of the 2004 E-series owner's guide. The E-450 Super Duty transmission brake is mentioned twice: 1) the Super Duty has it's parking brake on the transmission, 2) the parking brake uses transmission fluid. There is no reference to checking the fluid, changing the fluid, how much it has, or that it's even a separate reservoir from the transmission. What they say gives the owner no reason to think he needs to do anything at all, and how many owners will even read that part of the manual? The Scheduled Maintenance Guide does include the words "Inspect brake pads/shoes/rotors/drums, brake lines & hoses, and parking brake system". It appears that not even the mechanics at most of the Ford dealers know to check the fluid level or look for signs of leaking. Maybe there is a good reason Ford doesn't have the parking brake fluid inspected regularly?Eric Greenwell Adrianus Rommelse [lifewithalazydazerv] wrote, On 8/1/2014 7:26 AM:
Re: Parkin Break follow up Reply #19 – August 01, 2014, 08:33:17 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147726I can't think of one!As a reminder, post #s 147492 and 147487 should answer parking brake questions!Joan
Re: Parkin Break follow up Reply #20 – August 07, 2014, 02:52:15 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147848David, After all that has been written about this subject I assumed that Ford Motor Co. would have issue a "Service Bulletin" by now. After spending in excess of $ 6,000.-- in Albany, OR for a new parking brake unit, which was frozen on the transmission output shaft, and a new transmission I am seriously considering pursuing this matter with Ford. I very much appreciate that others with similar experiences report this on this website.Aad Rommelse
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