Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Already an "opportunity to excel" - Brake Problems

August 27, 2014, 11:46:05 am

Yahoo Message Number: 148219

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I figured my first challenge would be figuring out how to organize the dishes in the kitchen, but no, it seems I have a brake problem. I was planning on taking it in for a checkup anyway, but I've got to get there first.
 The symptom is a hard pull to the right which started about 5 or 6 miles into a drive around the block, and a very "hot" smell when I stopped. The tires look OK. I called the shop and they said it might be a frozen caliper, and I know it did sit over the winter and hasn't been driven much since.
 As I have access to a jack and a good set of wrenches, is this something that I can loosen up enough to get to the shop (about 40 miles away)? I have some basic mechanical experience, and I think I know enough to stop before I do something really silly.
 Should I give it a go? Any advice on a good YouTube video to walk me through it?

Many thanks...

Pat 2000 30 IB - The Pearl

Re: Already an "opportunity to excel" - Brake Problems

Reply #2 – August 27, 2014, 09:23:24 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 148232

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Hi Pat-
 My 2003 MB suffered a similar fate last weekend.  We were all packed up for a trip and 10 miles into it I knew something was wrong.  The coach was pulling right and didn't have the usual get up and go.  The right front brake was seized.  I let it cool off and the brake un-seized.  I drove it back home although I'm pretty sure that caliper isn't working at all now.  I had an IR thermometer and some experience with car brakes to help with basic troubleshooting.
 From what I've read, front brake problems aren't uncommon on E-450's.  Problems I've read about include stuck caliper pistons, stuck slide pins, and worn out flex hoses (they collapse and prevent pressure from releasing).  Without some disassembly, I doubt anyone can tell you what your specific problem is.
 My plan is a full rotor/caliper/pads/bearings/hoses replacement on the front end.  It's overkill, but at 10 years old, 55k miles, and lots of sitting (opportunity for things to rust and seize) I'm not interested in messing up another trip with a partial fix.  I plan to do the rear brakes before long as well.
 A good mechanic could probably id the exact problem and get you back on the road with fewer new parts.
 My next step, if cooling hadn't loosened the caliper, would have been a  call to Coach-Net.  I wouldn't drive 40 miles if I knew the brake was  stuck.  The good news is that parts aren't hard to find.  The bad news  is that I paid $500-$600 just for parts.  I've read $1200-$1500 for  parts and labor.

These links might be of interest (Thanks to LarryW for sharing) : Life With A Lazy Daze RV

Brakes

Ain't RVing fun?

Rich 2003 MB in NC

Re: Already an "opportunity to excel" - Brake Problems

Reply #4 – August 28, 2014, 06:56:47 am

Yahoo Message Number: 148235

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Thanks for the replies. It sounds like it may be time for a complete brake job, just wish I and found it out at the shop rather than the driveway!
 I took a peek at Coach-Net and I'm considering their Basic package - as Yahoo's search feature is still out of commission, has anyone had any experience using their service?

Thanks again...

Pat

Re: Already an "opportunity to excel" - Brake Problems

Reply #6 – August 28, 2014, 12:11:26 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 148241

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Pat, I'm sorry to hear about your brake problem. To answer your question, many of use use and recommend Coach-Net, after having tried other services.

Andy Baird

Travels with Andy

Re: Already an "opportunity to excel" - Brake Problems

Reply #8 – August 28, 2014, 02:09:34 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 148244

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I hope I won't use their services often, but I think it's a good idea to have the extra protection.

--- You might want to check to see if the insurance policy on your rig covers emergency road service and towing; check the coverage very carefully to discover any exclusions or "gotchas".

I realize that not everyone feels that carrying an emergency road service is necessary or desirable, but, speaking from my own experience, I wouldn't leave the driveway without it; for me, it's a basic requirement, particularly as an "older" solo traveler. I've subscribed to Coach-Net's basic plan for 5-6 years; fortunately, I have not had to test their service quality, and I hope not to, but if/when I do, I have no reason to believe that the service will not be there. (As long as one has a cell signal, of course, and that can be problematic since I am often traveling in "towerless" or "deadzone" places!)

I do carry "equipment" and spares of essentials, and I can do some fix-its and general maintenance, but I'm also realistic; I *know* I can't push the thing, and I am pretty sure that I would not be able to change a tire (maybe the front if I could get the lugs off, even with a breaker bar, but probably not the rear) or installing an engine belt or doing a side-of-the-road brake repair or whatever else goes blooey to the point of "no go".

Obviously, buying emergency road service coverage is a "YMMV" thing; for me, having it is essential.

Joan

Re: Already an "opportunity to excel" - Brake Problems

Reply #10 – August 28, 2014, 07:15:57 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 148250

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I've had my LD towed a couple times to get to service. Great AAA service here in Orange County and got me to the place I needed to go.

Re: Already an "opportunity to excel" - Brake Problems

Reply #12 – August 28, 2014, 09:20:42 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 148255

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Great AAA service here in Orange County --- Just a FYI: AAA is a regional operation; each region has its own policies and offerings, and a service or coverage available in one region may not be in another. For example, the Automobile Club of Southern California does offer an "RV Plus" plan; it's likely the plan you have if you needed service in Orange County and that's your home region. Calstate AAA (AAA's regional name in northern California, Nevada and Utah) does not offer RV road service coverage. If one has "AAA" (by whatever name in whatever area)  and assumes that its road service extends to covering an *RV* for towing or road service, I suggest checking the policy coverage very carefully to make sure that the services expected are going to be delivered whenever and wherever they're needed. While AAA's "RV Plus" coverage might work in one's home region, will a service provider show up - with the appropriate equipment, if at all - when you're in a different region?

This paragraph from the AAA website may help to find out what AAA does and doesn't offer as far as RVs go in your home region and elsewhere:

"Does AAA provide Emergency Roadside Service for RVs and Motorhomes?

AAA does provide services to RVs and Motorhomes on a limited basis. Your RV/Motorhome may be covered as long as the contract station that is dispatched to service your vehicle has the equipment available to perform what is necessary. Services that are provided are covered up to $300.00. In some cases, this may be on a reimbursement basis.

Contact our AAA Emergency Road Service to inquire if your particular vehicle is eligible for service. To contact AAA Roadside Service, please call (800) AAA-HELP ((800) 222-4357) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week."

AAA is great for cars, and their road maps, although a lot fewer than in years past, are still among the best. I don't use their "trip planning" or tour books, but I keep up my 40+-year membership for the maps! ;-)

As ever, YMMV.

Joan

Re: Already an "opportunity to excel" - Brake Problems

Reply #14 – August 29, 2014, 06:27:14 am

Yahoo Message Number: 148259

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I checked my Progressive policy first, and while they do list towing, the wording made it sound very limited. Having had too much experience with older vehicles, including a different motorhome, I know only too well the curve balls they can throw you - last time I drove the Airstream it threw a belt and I lost power steering AND brakes in the middle of nowhere, and it cost him-indoors a bundle to have it towed.
 I'm not so mechanically inclined that I'm comfortable tackling anything major, but I hope to at least do some of the basic maintenance tasks - oil change, air filter, plugs (maybe). I would prefer to have someone else change a tire if possible, especially if I'm on the side of a busy road!
 Hearing that so many of you are happy with Coach Net makes me feel a lot more comfortable - I got their Basic plan and I'll let you know if their service here in mid-Michigan is as good as it is elsewhere.

Thanks for all your replies!

Pat

Re: Already an "opportunity to excel" - Brake Problems

Reply #16 – August 29, 2014, 12:41:27 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 148265

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Andy, I remember reading about your encounter with lightening! I'll have to double-check Progressive's wording again to make sure I'm covered.
 I'm wondering now if they will cover the brake issue as I'm not on the road, I'm parked at the shop where I do my stained glass... guess it's time to make a phone call.

Pat

Re: Progressive Insurance Roadside Coverage

Reply #18 – August 29, 2014, 06:03:08 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 148272

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Of course, one has to define "qualified repair facility".

--- Right. Some years ago, I had one tow experience in a previous RV; I was using the Good Sam road service clone from CW at the time. The  driver was told (by the dispatcher) to take the rig (and me, a passenger, and the dog, whom he suggested I leave in the rig while it was being towed! Yeah, that'll happen.) to a local RV shop on their list of "qualified repair facilities'. Since the problem was obviously a failed fuel pump, I suggested that it made no sense to tow the rig to an "RV shop", and asked him to tow the rig to the Toyota dealership (the rig was a little 1992 6-cylinder Dolphin). It took three back and forth calls to the dispatcher; we waited for well over an hour with the hooked-up-to-the-truck-rig in 100-degree heat on a Sunday afternoon before the road service agreed to tow the thing to the Toyota dealership, which was actually *closer* to the breakdown location than the RV place!

Sometimes one has to "negotiate" a bit to get to the *appropriate* "qualified repair facility". (The dog rode in the cab of the tow truck.)

As ever, YMMV.

Joan