Brake Issues - 1998 Bounder

I bought a set of pads for my 5 year old 1997 Bounder when I had a leaking rear axle seal leak a few drops of oil on the brake pads. The dealership wanted $500 to install new pads while they had the rear axle apart, to replace the leaking seal under the extended warranty. I can only guess why they wanted $500 to install new brake pads while the RV was already apart, and the oily pads off the RV on the ground.

Funny but the whole 800 mile trip the brakes never smoked, until we got the RV home from the dealership, when the rear axle was smoking so badly (after the rear seal was fixed) that my wife said come and look, I think the RV is on fire! After driving it to my buddy's house, and using a 3/4" impact wrench to remove the lug nuts (that should have been tightened to only about 120 foot pounds) we changed the pads in about 1 hour.

You can get the brake pads for a 1997 F-450 super duty, they also fit the F-53 motorhome for 97, with the 460" engine. If you have a V10, then you probably share brake pads with the same model year F-450/550 trucks. I know on mine, they used the same size brake pads front and rear.

You might as well pick up a quart of brake fluid from the Ford dealership. They make the highest "Wet boiling Point" brake fluid, and it is reasonable cost as well. After 7 years, the brake fluid should be changed, to put in dry fluid.

Good luck!

Fred.

Also, what is the approximate cost for a brake job? I know it needs new pads and rotors and most likely needs new calipers also.

Not sure if I want to try and do this my self but I do have access to the tools needed if I decide to tackle it.

Also, thank you Richard, i was looking at those also when I got under there..

When you get your brake problems worked out, you might want to have a look at your sway bar bushings. You last picture shows a bad bushing.
There is a guy on Ebay that has urethane bushings for all the Ford F53 chassis. Good stuff at a fair price.
Your 1998 coach is on a 1999 chassis, so the bushings in the link will work.

Richard

Looks like awhile. When our Kountry Star went in for oil changes, I always had them check the brakes at the same time. I am a bit anal about that.