Class C just locked up front wheels

[esbliss]

Went to replace my house battery when I was coming home the light on the dash that shows the air bags came on and never went off. Smoke started pouring out from under the hood. I pulled over to determine if there was fire under the hood or from the front wheels. I do not know if the front brakes locked up but I had very little power. I sat there for a few minutes and started limping home. I dropped the tranny down to 1 and it seemed to have more power than when in drive. OH all these problems with this older class C. My questions....do I really need to take to shop to see why the light regarding airbag is on and if it were the front brakes would it have destroyed the pads and rotors? The smell is the one I smell on the interstate after a big truck locks up the brakes trying to stop.Maybe it is time for me to go in debt and buy a newer model.

[Cousin_Eddie93]

Ohh the old never ending Ford front brake seizure issue. Most of the time this is caused by the steel brake fluid pins rusting inside the line due to sitting too long. Rust falls into the caliper piston resulting in seizure. Stainless steel pins would eliminate the issue. I've had two fords with same exact issue: a 72 Galaxie and a 93 Class C. Regular fluid changes will remove the moisture causing the rust, but the rust inside the piston chambers will need to be cleaned by removing the pistons and cleaning by hand. The calipers and Pistons should be fine once the rust, old pins and old fluid are completely removed. Also have to be weary of cooking the grease inside the wheel bearings. They will become hot enough to boil water and cook off the grease if overheated too long.

[dennislanier]

Glad you got the brakes fixed. Seems like a pretty reasonable price for all that work.

As far as selling vs trading, I would consider both. By that I mean taking a look at nearby dealers and see if they have one you like. First I would get a price as if you were buying it WITHOUT a trade. THEN see what the price would be WITH a trade and go from there. If you use that approach you might stand a better chance of getting a good deal. Trading it in would save the hassle of advertising it, showing it to various strangers, handling financing and paperwork, etc.

On the other hand, if the dealer won't give you a fair trade value, you could always try selling it yourself or selling it on consignment.

This time of year there are lots of people looking, so this would be a good time to check all this stuff out. Good luck in your search and let us know how it goes. Your experience could help others in a similar situation.

[Bordercollie]

Brake fluid attracts water and when heated, as on a long grade it makes steam leading to brake fade and loss of braking action. Maybe water droplets in brake cylinders can lead to corrosion and calipers sticking when you apply brakes.

I have had to replace the fridge, roof AC unit, converter/charger and house batteries, as well as tires on our 2004 rig. Replacing an older rig to avoid such "annoyances" might be worth doing, if you can get enough for your old rig and take all the costs of buying a newer or new rig into account.

[klutchdust]

stripit wrote:

klutchdust wrote:

ksg5000 wrote:
Pretty common for front brakes to lock up if the owner doesn't regularly change brake fluid - take it to any tire/brake shop - you don't need RV specialist. Not sure about the air bag. Did all this happen before you installed new battery or right after?

Interesting point about not changing brake fluid leads to locking/frozen calipers. I have had vehicles for 12-15 years and never changed the fluid and never had an issue.

Do a search on brake fluid and why it should be changed. RV's are using the brakes trying to slow a lot more weight than any car and thus the brakes get hotter and the fluid too. I just bought a used 2007 E-450 and will be changing the fluid soon, as soon as it warms up in northern Arizona where the rig is parked. Will also pull the brake pads and check condition and lube the pins while I'm in there. On my test drive it stops straight and without any pulsations.

I understand the brake fluid change due to the heat, what I am questioning is the brake fluid change to prevent calipers locking up. A vehicle sitting around as mentioned for 11.5 months will develop rust but not changing the brake fluid does not increase the chances of that happening. Two different issues here. My rig moves every month because of where I live, there is no winter to speak of to deter camping plus I use it for racing events I participate in. I have always had good results with never- seize on my brake components.

[esbliss]

Thank you for all the responses. I had it repaired. I had the pads, calipers, lines, and fluid replaced for just under $400. I had put it on craigslist yesterday while it was in the shop and had some serious bites. I am thinking maybe I ought to buy a newer model hoping to avoid these mini "dramas" with the older ones?? Would I do better if I traded it in or just buy one out right??

[stripit]

klutchdust wrote:

ksg5000 wrote:
Pretty common for front brakes to lock up if the owner doesn't regularly change brake fluid - take it to any tire/brake shop - you don't need RV specialist. Not sure about the air bag. Did all this happen before you installed new battery or right after?

Interesting point about not changing brake fluid leads to locking/frozen calipers. I have had vehicles for 12-15 years and never changed the fluid and never had an issue.

Do a search on brake fluid and why it should be changed. RV's are using the brakes trying to slow a lot more weight than any car and thus the brakes get hotter and the fluid too. I just bought a used 2007 E-450 and will be changing the fluid soon, as soon as it warms up in northern Arizona where the rig is parked. Will also pull the brake pads and check condition and lube the pins while I'm in there. On my test drive it stops straight and without any pulsations.

[fireflock]

New Pads, Calipers, Rotors, and fluid after it happened to me. Did the Wheel Bearings and Brake Hoses too while I was in there.

Prepare for some sticker shock. I paid around $400 just for parts.

On a 2001, you're due.

You can DIY if you're a shadetree mechanic. The parts are bigger and heavier than those on a car, but otherwise it's pretty similar. Just make sure your jacks and jack stands are rated for the weight. I had to buy some new stuff.

[Home_Skillet]

Classic case of the front caliper sticking.

My calipers had the phenolic pistons. I got fed up with the calipers sticking and replaced all four with metal piston calipers.

You brake pads will need to be replaced. They are probably crystallized from the heat.

[dcg9381]

ksg5000 wrote:
Pretty common for front brakes to lock up if the owner doesn't regularly change brake fluid - take it to any tire/brake shop - you don't need RV specialist. Not sure about the air bag. Did all this happen before you installed new battery or right after?

I think these RVs had two piston types (in the brakes) - one composite one metal. Had the same darn issue on a 2003 model E450. Even got an aftermarket caliper, pistons in that caliper were still sticky...

Air bag unrelated, but you may very well have smoked the rotor.

[ksg5000]

klutchdust wrote:

ksg5000 wrote:
Pretty common for front brakes to lock up if the owner doesn't regularly change brake fluid - take it to any tire/brake shop - you don't need RV specialist. Not sure about the air bag. Did all this happen before you installed new battery or right after?

Interesting point about not changing brake fluid leads to locking/frozen calipers. I have had vehicles for 12-15 years and never changed the fluid and never had an issue.

Me too .. but I bet those vehicles are being used where old RVs tend to sit in driveway for 11.5 months of the year.

[klutchdust]

ksg5000 wrote:
Pretty common for front brakes to lock up if the owner doesn't regularly change brake fluid - take it to any tire/brake shop - you don't need RV specialist. Not sure about the air bag. Did all this happen before you installed new battery or right after?

Interesting point about not changing brake fluid leads to locking/frozen calipers. I have had vehicles for 12-15 years and never changed the fluid and never had an issue.

[ksg5000]

Pretty common for front brakes to lock up if the owner doesn't regularly change brake fluid - take it to any tire/brake shop - you don't need RV specialist. Not sure about the air bag. Did all this happen before you installed new battery or right after?

[Tyler0215]

Whether you trade or sell, you are going to hve to fix the brakes. Sounds to me like frozen calipers. After driving it any distance you will need new calipers,rotors and pads. $500. sounds about right price.

[esbliss]

I am sorry this is a 2001 Gulf Stream Yelowstone 31'. I think I just need to trade or sell it. Would it be smarter for me to trade at a dealer or try to sell it out right?