F53 Brake Advice

427435 wrote:
A grade 5 9/16 capscrew torque is around 115 ft lbs.

The 165 ft lb number is the recommended torque for the wheel lug nuts.


As for the using it with only 90% of the bolts there, most engineers would have a lot more than a 10% safety factor on a critical joint like that.

I'm gonna wait and get if fixed correctly... and torque them to 120lb.

John&Joey wrote:

427435 wrote:
..The 165 ft lb number is the recommended torque for the wheel lug nuts...

You hear a lot of talk on this forum about brake lines swelling, but in real life how often have you had that really happen or hear of others having that problem. Unless the brake lines are bulging or leaking why assume they are bad based on forum regurgitation.

If I had to guess I would think your calipers are sticking do to age and lack of daily use. Your pads were old and the edges were chipping away. Your brake fluid was old, pins need greasing and one caliper was frozen scoring the rotor, but not destroying it.

What you're doing is great, but you have a rig that is 20 years old. I would not invest all of the budget just to get one system back to like new status. If you really do use the rig like you plan on, there will be many more opportunity's to spend money and effort keeping it running.

BTW, how is the rear passenger side exhaust manifold bolt doing. That is the other weak point next to the brakes on the old F53. Once you leave the F53 and look at the coach how is the rubber roof. They have a life of about 20 years. When was the last time it was sealed or coated now.

The rubber lines do show signs of aging... and I believe one may have been twisted when the caliper was last put on (the one with the sticking piston).

I know the rig is 18 yrs old, but it's perfect for us and safety is my utmost concern (I saved plenty on the MH to invest in safety) with children on board.

The motor seems to be in excellent condition, as well as the undercarriage.... I'll definitely check that rear passenger's bolt though. The roof was just resealed by the gentleman who sold it to us. He actually did quite a bit of work to it, including a new pergo floor and roof. He had purchased it for his father, invested some money into it, and then his father drove it and realized it was too big for him. I should mention the MH has a 13' slideout and all the canopies are brand new, including the hardware (dated in 2012). The MH runs great and drives very well. Has 44k miles.