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.

[RJsfishin]

Me, I just hope you learned something from all this.
That there is a good reason why "checking the brake fluid level" is (or supposed to be) included in every service.
It is perfectly normal for there to be a slight amount of fluid seepage at wheel cyls, caliper pistons, and mastercyls over the years.
But it can be years before it becomes visible, or actually becomes a problem. If the fluid is topped of regularly, and there is no visible leakage, and braking action is normal, there is no problem, and quite possibly would not have been a problem even now, or at least I don't recall you mentioning spots of brake fluid on the floor, etc.

Now if you want to continue critizing me for "actually trying to help you, have at me,...I'm tough !
And just in case you wondered, yes, I was a GM tech (mechanic) for 12 yrs, (attended General Motors Training Center, San Leandro, CA) I've had enuff experience in brake work to know a little about it.

Horizon170 wrote:

Bill/Diana wrote:

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?

Thirteen (13) years and you don't check all fluid levels? At least have someone check them for you if you aren't able or don't know how.
I would hate for you to be following down the road when the traffic came to an abrupt stop. Not scolding, just wondering.

[jfkmk]

Glad you were able to get it to the shop for repairs. Have fun on your trip!

[Bill_Diana]

The repair shop just called to let me know the master cylinder was defective. They should have the job done later today. They did not specify the cost but I'm prepared for approximately $575 to bleed the brake lines and install new master cylinder.

Thanks for all your help. Now I know why I could never spot the master cylinder as its location is accessible via the front left wheel well.

Oh, I should mention. The drive to the repair shop this morning went well. We left home around 6:30 am and the traffic was sparse for the short 4 mile drive. I took my time and allowed lots of space for braking. The pedal went way down and was spongy. I was thankful when I pulled into the garage parking lot.

We will be leaving first thing tomorrow morning heading west to Pittsburgh.

[John_Joey]

Sorry to hear you have an issue. FWIW, when the brake light goes on (not ABS) it is usually a sensor saying you're low on fluid. This is usually just a warning scaring the owner to get it in because the brakes are close to the end of their useful life.

It has nothing to do with a sudden soft brake pedal. You may have a leak somewhere. Good news is most brake systems are split so if there is a leak you only lose two brakes and not all four.

A simple thing to do is check the fluid and top off if low. Hit the brakes a dozen times or so and then recheck the fluid. If there is a leak then you'll know it from the level going down.

Is it dangerous to drive, only you will know. Do remember they put emergency brakes on vehicles for a reason.

On that other topic, some just want to be right and could care less about being helpful. Maybe in real life they aren't right very often. :h

[Horizon170]

Bill/Diana wrote:

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?

Thirteen (13) years and you don't check all fluid levels? At least have someone check them for you if you aren't able or don't know how.
I would hate for you to be following down the road when the traffic came to an abrupt stop. Not scolding, just wondering.

[Horizon170]

wa8yxm wrote:
There are 3 diferent brake systems used on Gassers depending on age

Drumb (All wheels)
Front Disc (rear Drum)
All Wheel Disc Brakes

Based on the 1996 build date I will guess you have one of the first two.

Have your brake man mic (measure with a Micrometer) the drums.

Took me 3 trips to the dealer on my 1992 Lumina (Mini-Van) before I put my mind to the task and figured that out.. 10 minutes at the tire store (They do breaks as well, I'd given up on the dealer) and we had the answer.

One would think the dealer's brake man could have figured it out but in truth.. He should have ask his dad (The dealer fired him).

So many shops don't have qualfied help.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

My bus has S cam air brakes.

Hydraulic systems need to be METICULOUSLY examined.

If you rub your finger on the bottom of the master cylinder and it comes up black, the master cylinder is well on it's way to failing. Rebuild or replace.

Caliper piston bores need to be checked and the faintest wetness means a rebuild or replace. Both sides.

Drum wheel cylinders same thing. The tiniest hint of wet on the cover boots either end means renew or replace cylinders on both sides of the rig.

HOSES every last one of them need to be inspected inch-by-inch. Bend the hose at the fitting apron. Dampness means renew. Use fingers to detect the slightest bulge in the hose. When in doubt, replace.

Every inch of the steel brake lines must be inspected for the slightest trace of rust. Even surface dust rust.

Ignore brake maintenance and if you give a pedestrian a ride on a fender from a crosswalk it's going to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. And you're going to pay through the snot-box. Do deep throat with a Peterbilt, and well, none of this is gonna matter.

[Bill_Diana]

Happy Prospector wrote:
No matter what you do, when you have to drive it to a repair shop, if you have hit something, hit something cheap.

LOL.....good suggestion. I had not thought of that.

I'll be sure to give an update on the final solution.

[Happy_Prospecto]

No matter what you do, when you have to drive it to a repair shop, if you have hit something, hit something cheap.

[wa8yxm]

There are 3 diferent brake systems used on Gassers depending on age

Drumb (All wheels)
Front Disc (rear Drum)
All Wheel Disc Brakes

Based on the 1996 build date I will guess you have one of the first two.

Have your brake man mic (measure with a Micrometer) the drums.

Took me 3 trips to the dealer on my 1992 Lumina (Mini-Van) before I put my mind to the task and figured that out.. 10 minutes at the tire store (They do breaks as well, I'd given up on the dealer) and we had the answer.

One would think the dealer's brake man could have figured it out but in truth.. He should have ask his dad (The dealer fired him).

[Bill_Diana]

RJsfishin wrote:
Well, I wasn't really scolding you, but it really did strike me as a dumb question.
If I had asked here why my motor don't run, and someone asked if it had gas in it, and I replied, "I don't know, I didn't check it"
What would/could you have told me ??;)

Bill/Diana wrote:

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?

ps
And I am really puzzled at all the questions you didn't answer:?

OK...so now you are saying I ask dumb questions. Maybe we should all take lessons from you on how to properly ask our questions.

Everyone on this thread has tried to be of some help to me except for you. I'm thankful for them. I have been on this forum for over 13 years and never encountered someone telling me my questions were dumb.

[time2roll]

Low on fluid is usually the need for new pads/shoes or in a rare case a leak.
Sounds like a master cylinder is failing to me but check the linings for wear.
Either way have all brake fluid flushed while you are there.

[RJsfishin]

Well, I wasn't really scolding you, but it really did strike me as a dumb question.
If I had asked here why my motor don't run, and someone asked if it had gas in it, and I replied, "I don't know, I didn't check it"
What would/could you have told me ??;)

Bill/Diana wrote:

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?

ps
And I am really puzzled at all the questions you didn't answer:?

[2chiefsRus]

Bill/Diana wrote:
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.

Best luck to you and please update the post with the solution after your visit.