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Raist11's avatar
Raist11
Explorer
Jun 25, 2015

1990 Triple E Brake Fluid Reservoir Access - Resolved

It's a 1990 Triple E Empress on a Ford Chassis with the 460 gas engine. Trying to see if someone has experience with accessing the brake fluid reservoir.

I've pulled the engine hump, and it's beyond impossible to reach it there. Lifting the flap inside the wheel well on the driver's side shows the side of the reservoir, but no way to access the top. I can't see any access panel in the floor at the driver's side floor. The carpet there is in fact glued down there. I am at a loss.

I'm thinking maybe I just need to cut a hole in my floor and build my own access door, but it seems stupid there is no way to access it from factory.

My other option is to just use a bleeder pump to run a hose up the side of it from the wheel well and down into the reservoir. That is IF I can get my hand up high enough to unscrew the cap.

For those that like the complete story. I took it to the shop due to some tire smoking issues. They looked over the whole unit and wanted $10,000.. ummm.. No. So now I am replacing all four calipers, some brake line myself, and the front shocks. I will possibly be doing the hydro boost myself too but not sure I want to tackle that one.

Thanks.

Update: I opted to buy a step bit (cone shaped drill bit)that went up to 1 3/8 and drilled a hole in the floor directly above the reservoir. The hole ended up maybe being about an inch wide. I purchased a long narrow funnel and it fit in the hole and was able to reach into the reservoir. The floor at the driver's side foot area is just a metal floor, no wooden sub floor or anything above the metal there.
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8 Replies

  • Raist11's avatar
    Raist11
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2015
    Update: I opted to buy a step bit (cone shaped drill bit)that went up to 1 3/8 and drilled a hole directly above the reservoir. The hole ended up maybe being about an inch wide. I purchased a long narrow funnel and it fit in the hole and was able to reach into the reservoir. The floor at the driver's side foot area is just a metal floor, no wooden sub floor or anything above the metal there.
  • Raist11's avatar
    Raist11
    Explorer
    Jun 28, 2015
    Son of Norway wrote:
    The Chevy chassis of my HR has similar problems with access to the master cylinder and reservoir. I measured out the location and cut an access hole in the floor right above the reservoir. I made a cover out of diamond plate with some insulation. The hole with the cover is right under the driver's floor mat so it is not even visible. It only took me a couple of hours and it dramatically increased my motivation to check my brake fluid on a regular basis, so it was well worth it.

    Miles


    I'm thinking that cutting a hole is best option. What did you use to cut the hole? I'm assuming I'd be looking at going through wood, then metal? I'm thinking maybe even just a 3" hole saw. I can get the cap from the side, then run a long funnel down through the hole to fill..
  • Raist11's avatar
    Raist11
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2015
    Thanks for all the responses. It's nice to know that brake fluid is a low priority for the RV builders out there. I like the access hole idea, I just have to determine if I'm ready to cut a hole in the floor or not. I'll try something similar to the turkey baster idea and go up from there if needed.
  • C-172-AV8R's avatar
    C-172-AV8R
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2015
    What a PITA to check the fluid level. Mine is the same crank the wheel to the far left try to fit my hulking butt into the space ahead of the tire put hand into hole and release the two reservoir springs with a screwdriver. Cut the bottom off a water bottle to use to fill and dump into the reservoir which is on the inside of the frame. At least they left a hole in the frame to get my hand through. Try to get one eye high enough to see if fluid level is correct. Try to get the springs back where they belong and presto were done. See how easy that was. Now a hole in the drivers floor that would be just to luxurious. :)
  • Son_of_Norway's avatar
    Son_of_Norway
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2015
    The Chevy chassis of my HR has similar problems with access to the master cylinder and reservoir. I measured out the location and cut an access hole in the floor right above the reservoir. I made a cover out of diamond plate with some insulation. The hole with the cover is right under the driver's floor mat so it is not even visible. It only took me a couple of hours and it dramatically increased my motivation to check my brake fluid on a regular basis, so it was well worth it.

    Miles
  • Raist11's avatar
    Raist11
    Explorer
    Jun 26, 2015
    midnightsadie wrote:
    don,t know the answer ,but I,d replace all brake line and hose. I do like the excess panel idea ,I,d do that in a heart beat ,make my own door .


    Most of the steel brake line looks great without any rust. It's just the back 1/4 that is rusted. The rubber lines at each wheel are in great shape though.
  • midnightsadie's avatar
    midnightsadie
    Explorer II
    Jun 25, 2015
    don,t know the answer ,but I,d replace all brake line and hose. I do like the excess panel idea ,I,d do that in a heart beat ,make my own door .

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