Forum Discussion

barth's avatar
barth
Explorer
May 03, 2014

My air brakes are locked!

I have a 2001 Scepter, and it was stored indoor for the past six months. When I went to get it this morning, it started right away, the air pressure built up to 125 PSI. When I released the brakes, it tried to move but din't. It looks like one of the brake shoes is stucked on the drum. It never happened to me before. What do I do next? Call a tire road service unit?

Thank you
Class A
  • dons2346's avatar
    dons2346
    Explorer
    May 03, 2014
    Sounds like your brake shoes are stuck to the drum. Did you try to back up? Sometimes that will free the shoes. If that doesn't work,chock the tires so the coach can't roll, release the parking brake and crawl under with a hammer and bang on the drums to free up the shoes
  • MARKW8's avatar
    MARKW8
    Explorer
    May 03, 2014
    dons2346 wrote:
    Sounds like your brake shoes are stuck to the drum. Did you try to back up? Sometimes that will free the shoes. If that doesn't work,chock the tires so the coach can't roll, release the parking brake and crawl under with a hammer and bang on the drums to free up the shoes


    I would add, make sure you block up the coach so it can't come down on you. Even though the wheels will still be on the ground.

    Mark
  • J-Rooster's avatar
    J-Rooster
    Explorer
    May 03, 2014
    I had this happen to me once and, I hit the brake pad inside drum of the wheel with a rubber mallet and that unstuck the brake pad from the drum. If you have dust covers on your wheel (back of wheel), you will have to take them off usually 3 to 4 small screws! Good Luck!
  • barth's avatar
    barth
    Explorer
    May 03, 2014
    I had the pads replaced on one of the wheels a month before storing it. I wonder if it is the new pads that are stuck
  • obgraham's avatar
    obgraham
    Explorer
    May 03, 2014
    After watching many seasons of Ice Road Truckers, I know what to do! The default is for the air brake to be "On". Bang 'em with a hammer to release.
  • nor-easter's avatar
    nor-easter
    Explorer
    May 03, 2014
    Put coach in Reverse with emergency brake released and take foot of air brakes to allow drive shaft to turn and break rust locking the brake. Your four wheel brakes have not been on so no worry there.
    This happens every once in a while if wet air or rain in area.

    Post and let us know how you make out.
  • J-Rooster's avatar
    J-Rooster
    Explorer
    May 03, 2014
    barth wrote:
    I had the pads replaced on one of the wheels a month before storing it. I wonder if it is the new pads that are stuck
    From my experience it's been rust or a bad return spring or a flat spot a top of the cam. Make sure when you have the brakes relined that the shop uses the new parts in the brake kit. A lot of shops will use the old springs etc. when relining brakes.
  • okgc's avatar
    okgc
    Explorer
    May 03, 2014
    I know of a case where the air line for the parking brake had been chewed by mice so there was no air pressure to release brakes.
  • hone_eagle's avatar
    hone_eagle
    Explorer
    May 03, 2014

    bfh

    The brakes locked on my Volvo over winter, bang on em .
    it has been suggested to me by a trucker to park it next time with chocks to keep it from rolling,do not set the brakes ,let the air bleed down over time ,by the time they do temps are equal and much less likely to bind up.
  • barth's avatar
    barth
    Explorer
    May 03, 2014
    okgc wrote:
    I know of a case where the air line for the parking brake had been chewed by mice so there was no air pressure to release brakes.


    I'm a bit confused. Are saying that there is two braking system? The regular one and the parking one?
    If there is only one system, then my air pressure is up and steady. One weel wants to move while the other one doesn't

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