| Author | Message | ||
| Tom Dessert (Mci5er)
Registered Member Username: Mci5er Post Number: 86 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 75.142.22.177 Rating: N/A |
I finally took some time off from work to concentrate on a few bus projects. One of which was to check the brakes and look for possible air leaks etc. I adjusted the curbside front with no problems or concerns. Shoe thickness was about an inch with no ridge on the drum. The driver's side was another story. After cleaning 20 year old hardened grease off the adjuster, with a paint scraper and wire brush, I had to roll over on my side to grab something and pulled myself back into position while holding on to the slack adjuster. The adjuster almost pulled off the end of the cam shaft only being held on by the yoke of the chamber rod. I appears the snap ring snapped a longtime ago along with the washer just behind it. As I tried to push the adjuster back on the camshaft the shaft started pushing into the drum. I was able to get the adjuster back to where it was originally but not all the way on like it should be. If I hold the brake shoe with one hand and lightly tap the adjuster with a small deadblow, I can just feel the recessed edge for the snap ring. I checked the appearance of the curbside against the driver's and the cam shaft spindle sticks out noticeably more on the curbside. I'm thinking the 'S' curves are binding on the shoe roller not letting the shaft come all the way out of the adjuster. Any ideas on how I can get this corrected short of pulling the drum. I thought of taking the slack adjuster complete off, then rotate the cam until it's aligned between the shoe rollers. I think the return springs may be a problem getting the cam back in place. Don't know. Any other ideas or experience with this. | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1058 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 74.12.85.209 Rating: N/A |
Hello Tom. If the shoe rollers are hung up, you are pretty much going to have to go inside. That isn't necessarily a bad thing. How long since you had wheel seals done? You maybe just want to pull the wheel, do the seal and inspect what is in there. We busnuts are notoriously sloppy with the preventive maintenance on wheel ends. seals, brake lining condition, condition of return springs, state of lube, etc, etc, etc. Yes, we don't want to find stuff, but we also DO want to find stuff that is not right. And when neglected, everything just gets harder to take apart as the years pass. Commercial stuff is supposed to have the wheels torn down annually. And this is for many good reasons besides it being regulated. To do it yourself, there is some physical effort, but the mechanical stuff isn't overly complex. happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| Tom Dessert (Mci5er)
Registered Member Username: Mci5er Post Number: 87 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 75.142.22.177 Rating: N/A |
Buswarrior, After posting, I called a professional tire/brake service friends of mine who has the portable equipment to remove the two front tires and get at the drums. Your absolutely right on target with your comments. I should have taken the time to double check the buses systems the day I brought her home. Now, she'll be coming apart for my peace of mind to ensure it's done from here on out by 'Da Book'. I'll post what I find after taking her down to the spindles. Thanks Tom | ||
| Bob Wies (Ncbob)
Registered Member Username: Ncbob Post Number: 212 Registered: 2-2006 Posted From: 70.221.14.216 Rating: N/A |
Tom, FWIW, I recently bought an air/hydraulic jack at Northern Hydraulics for about $70. Best investment I ever made. I did the rear brakes (completely) last year without one...never again. While you're at it check those rear slack adjusters as well. It does the pucker factor a world of good to know that when you press the brake treadle...something good is going to happen. NCbob | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 202 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.240.213.156 Rating: N/A |
Bob...I just checked their website...you wouldn't have left a couple of 0's off that price, perhaps..  What product number did you purchase. Thanx, RCB '64 Crown Supercoach (HWC) | ||
| Hans (Buellhans)
Registered Member Username: Buellhans Post Number: 76 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 205.250.41.167 Rating: N/A |
While your at it why dont you upgrade and put some auto slacks on her . If brakes to be done or you just neeed rollers . The auto slacks are nice addition . You can air the bus up relase the brakes Shut off buss and make an aplication . If all is adjusted right note how much air you use and then when ever you get in you can check the adjustment in this fashion . Besides seems so many of the bus nuts are afriad our its just a pian to get under to check your adjustment . ITs part of my pre trip even with the auto slacks | ||
| Bob Wies (Ncbob)
Registered Member Username: Ncbob Post Number: 219 Registered: 2-2006 Posted From: 70.221.199.209 Rating: N/A |
Sorry Chuck, it was Northern Tool...here's the link I E-mailed you: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200305255_200305255 Bob | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 204 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 63.18.36.234 Rating: N/A |
Thanx Bob.. more my price range. RCB | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1062 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 74.12.81.172 Rating: N/A |
Good news, Tom! And I am just as big a sinner... Like a group of alchoholics discussing their addiction over a pint.... We are busnuts discussing preventive maintenance!! And Bob, besides last year's "wheels off the bus" exercise, I did 4 drive axle brakes on the Freightliner this weekend with the low profile bottle jack from the bus, sheet of galvanized and some oil to slide 'em.... I'll be in line for one of those air/hydraulic jacks shortly! Princess Auto for under $300, they tell me! happy coaching! buswarrior |