Brake Problem....your thoughts....SOLVED !!!

[Bill_Diana]

Looking for some input.

The last few times we took the motorhome on a trip I seemed to notice the brake pedal had more and more movement. On our last trip the pedal felt like it was traveling close to the floor before the brakes would take affect. It also seemed to take a longer distance to stop the motorhome.

So today I went to visit the motorhome in storage. I started the engine and then pressed on the brake pedal. The pedal traveled a long distance and then I felt pressure back and then the pedal seemed to have a very short push back. Then I noticed for the first time the BRAKE LIGHT on the dashboard would light up red when I pushed the brake pedal all they way.

After doing this test I decided I need to make an appointment at the repair shop. I did not drive the motorhome today because I wanted to get some input from the experts on the forum.

Any thoughts on what the problem IS or IS NOT? Is it save to drive 4 miles to the repair shop?

I should mention this is a 1996 Georgie Boy Cruisemaster with the Chevy 454 engine. The brake pads are in good shape. I know the front brakes are disc but I'm not sure about the back brakes.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Bill_Diana]

Thanks to all of you for your input & suggestions. With your help now I know what to expect when I take the MH to the repair shop next week.

[Ray___June]

I noticed your vehicle is almost 20 years old. I hope you have changed the brake fluid during that time.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from the air). Brake fluid is specifically designed to resist the high heats generated during heavy or repeated braking. When you add water to the mix, the boiling point of the fluid drops considerably. Water will vaporize under high heat and then the pedal will drop as the gas is compressed.
Remember, fluids are not compressible, but gasses are.

All manufacturers recommend purging and changing brake fluid
regularly. (please check your owners manuals, or go online) This also applies to hydraulic clutches, but isn't as dangerous

It is very possible it is just a master cylinder problem, but have the mechanic inspect all the brake calipers or cylinders if there is moisture related pitting in the master cylinder.

This is one area I don't recommend you do yourself unless you have extensive experience as a mechanic. (I do)

[Bill_Diana]

RJsfishin wrote:
Its outta fluid. That is the very first thing you should have checked before even asking here. When was it last checked ?

Why are you scolding me?

[RJsfishin]

Its outta fluid. That is the very first thing you should have checked before even asking here. When was it last checked ?

[jfkmk]

The level in the master cylinder will get lower as your brake pads/shoes wear. However, it should never get low enough to cause the brake warning light to come on. Sounds like you have a leak or bad master cylinder. I would top off the brake reservoir with fresh brake fluid and pump the brakes to see if they come up. If they do, you can probably chance driving it to the repair shop. If not, have it towed.

[Jim-Linda]

If you have never flushed the hydraulic system in all these years, that's where I would start.

Jim

[Orphamedora]

Had the same problem on a '83 p-30 chassis, 454. There is a proportioner valve that feeds the fluid to the two systems. It had sprung a leak. Luckily they could rebuild. They seem to be hard to get. At any rate get it looked at FAST, othererwise you'll have NO brakes.

[Bill_Diana]

I'm thankful this problem showed up while I'm here at home. I just called the repair shop and I have an appointment for next Tuesday. Now my main concern is how safe it will be to drive the 4 miles to the repair shop?

I still plan on checking the fluid level in the master cylinder before driving to the repair shop.

[midnightsadie]

if your close to new castle? let me know. had a brake problem and the guy came to the fair grnds and repaired the rv on a sat . great work and the price was very fair.

[road-runner]

The top two possibilities IMO are air in the brake system or a failing master cylinder. If you haven't had the brake fluid replaced in the past few years, this should be done and will at the same time clear any air from the system. If the master cylinder is failing it will need to be replaced or rebuilt. If the brake fluid has never been replaced that will have accelerated deterioration of seals in the master cylinder and at the wheels.

[2chiefsRus]

We used to have a 1999 Monaco Knight on Ford V-10 chassis when we lived in Maryland. One day the brake pedal went to the floor when we were driving it (no accident or injury). We checked the brake fluid and it was very low. Topped it off and went just a couple more miles and brake pedal went to floor again when pressed. The brake line had rusted through most likely due to the salty roads, or so we were told. Had the brake line replaced on the side of the road by shade tree mechanic and then later had brake lines bled for air in line. Then everything was good again. Might not be your problem but something to consider.

Guess the point of my story is - if the brake fluid is low, don't just top it off and go like we did. Top it off, push on the brake while someone is looking underneath to see if it is just spraying out on the ground like ours did.

[Matt_Colie]

Either get out the book and adjust the rear brakes or take it to a truck shop and have them do it. That is probably all it is.

I don't know what chassis that is, but I don't believe that the rears have auto adjust like most pickups and passcars of the period.

Matt

[Bill_Diana]

2chiefsRus wrote:
have you checked the brake fluid level?

Thanks for the quick reply. No... I did not check the fluid level because I had my good clothes on and did not have the time. But will get back over there to check the level and take some fluid with me. Hopefully the brakes will be enough to get me to the shop.

[2chiefsRus]

have you checked the brake fluid level?