Bosch brake calipers: good quality or not??

Please tell us what chassis you have.

I'm betting he has a 2003 Holiday Rambler Neptune.

Bosch had some issues with the caliper pistons causing brake dragging, gave them a bad name in some circles. From what I have heard the issues are pretty much over.

daveshan wrote:
I'm betting he has a 2003 Holiday Rambler Neptune.

Bosch had some issues with the caliper pistons causing brake dragging, gave them a bad name in some circles. From what I have heard the issues are pretty much over.

Yes, it's a Holiday Rambler Neptune, with a Roadmaster chassis. Good to hear that the issues seem to be resolved. I only questioned it because of the fact that the shop that did the rear brakes didn't want to put Bosch calipers on. I wasn't sure what that was about.

bluebarry1964b wrote:

daveshan wrote:
I'm betting he has a 2003 Holiday Rambler Neptune.

Bosch had some issues with the caliper pistons causing brake dragging, gave them a bad name in some circles. From what I have heard the issues are pretty much over.

Yes, it's a Holiday Rambler Neptune, with a Roadmaster chassis. Good to hear that the issues seem to be resolved. I only questioned it because of the fact that the shop that did the rear brakes didn't want to put Bosch calipers on. I wasn't sure what that was about.

Since you have the Roadmaster chassis, the Bosch calipers were never a problem. It was the Workhorse chassis that had the dragging brake problems with the Bosch calipers. Since then, the Bosch calipers were redesigned and the affected brakes, on the Workhorse chassis coaches were repaired by a recall notice.

Probably would be your best interest, to get a run down on just how those Bosch replacement calipers are built, what the pistons are made of.
The Workhorse brake problem, was with the pistons being of a plastic type material that would swell up once hot & lock the brakes on until cooled off.
Moisture played some part in the ordeal as well.

If the Bosch calipers have metal constructed pistons, you should be ok.
Neil

Also keep in mind, the Bosch brake problem on Workhorse chassis was also specifically on RVs. There's are thousands of workhorse chassis with Bosch brakes on delivery trucks, etc, that were not affected.

Jim

Thanks for all your input. Sounds to me like I'll be fine going with Bosch.

Not all hydraulic brakes are found on gassers, some early Alpines also came with Bosch hydraulic brakes and had issues.

This is from a page at Recall record.

2003 Holiday Rambler Neptune brake foundation components recall
Recall Date: Aug. 18, 2004
Recalled Component: Brake foundation components
Manufactured by: Monaco coach corp.
Date of Manufacturing: From Apr. 10, 1998 to Sep. 3, 2002
Units Affected: 8,581
Defect Summary: On certain motor homes, the brake assemblies exhibit elevated temperatures that can lead to catastrophic deterioration of the wheel end components such as bearings, races, spindles, knuckles, seals, hubs, rotors, patch bolts, calipers, brake pads, and abs sensors.
Consequence: This could result in loss of control, and/or the potential for a fire.
How to Fix: Dealers will inspect the front and rear brake calipers for corrosion and replace or rebuild the calipers as necessary. The recall began on August 18, 2004. Owners should contact monaco at 1-800-685-6545.
Recall Notes: Monaco recall no. R02175. Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Lobstah wrote:
Also keep in mind, the Bosch brake problem on Workhorse chassis was also specifically on RVs. There's are thousands of workhorse chassis with Bosch brakes on delivery trucks, etc, that were not affected.

Jim

That's because delivery vehicles are driven on a daily basis, heating the system over and over, not allowing the pistons to absorb moisture. RV's just sat too long in-between uses.

fred

C-Leigh Racing wrote:
Probably would be your best interest, to get a run down on just how those Bosch replacement calipers are built, what the pistons are made of.
The Workhorse brake problem, was with the pistons being of a plastic type material that would swell up once hot & lock the brakes on until cooled off.
Moisture played some part in the ordeal as well.

If the Bosch calipers have metal constructed pistons, you should be ok.
Neil

I agree with Neil's post and, we who were effected by the Bosch recall who live in a rainy climate were really effected by the swelling of the plastic pistons!