Brakes; Filling The Master Cylinder; Brake Hose Inspection; Lining Inspection - Fleetwood Bounder 1986 Owner's Manual

BRAKES
There are two brake systems on the motor home,
the service brakes and the parking brakes.
Filling the Master Cylinder
The master cylinder must be kept properly filled to
insure adequate reserve and to prevent air from enter-
ing the hydraulic system. However, because of expan-
sion due to heat absorbed from the brakes and from
the engine, the master cylinder must not be overfilled.
The master cylinder is located under the floor on
the driver's side of the engine(P-Series). The position
of the master cylinder on the P-Series may require the
use of a flashlight and mirror to check the fluid level.
Thoroughly clean the reservoir cover before removal
to avoid getting dirt into the reservoir. Remove the
cover and diaphragm. Add fluid as required to bring
the level to
y."
(plus or minus
'I.")
from the lowest
portion of the top of each reservoir. Use DOT No.3
Hydraulic Brake Fluid or equivalent.
Do not use shock absorber fluid or any other fluid
which contains mineral oil. Do not use a container
which has been'used for mineral oil or a container
which is wet from water. Mineral oil will cause swell-
ing and distortion of rubber parts in the hydraulic brake
system and water will mix with brake fluid, lowering
the fluid boiling point. Keep all fluid containers capped
to prevent water contaminatiom.
Brake Hose Inspection
Inspect the flexible hydraulic brake hose which
transmits hydraulic pressure from the steel brake pipe
on the frame to the rear axle and to the calipers
regularly in accordance with the Vehicle Maintenance
Schedule. Check for road hazard damage, cracks and
chafing of the outer cover, and for leaks and blisters.
A light and mirror may be needed for an adequate in-
spection. If any of the above conditions are observed
on the brake hose, have it replaced.
Lining Inspectinn
Inspect the brake linings per the Vehicle
Maintenance Schedule and any time that the wheels
are removed (tire rotation, etc.)
Some front disc brakes have a wear indicator that
makes a noise when the linings wear to a degree
wherf 'e[:llacement is required. The spring clip is an
integrai part of the inboard shoe and lining. When the
lining is worn, the clip contacts the rotor and produces
a warning noise.
Brake Drum Inspection
Whenever brake drums are removed, they should
be thoroughly cleaned and inspected for cracks,
scores, deep grooves and out-of-round.
63
A cracked drum is unsafe for further service and
must be replaced. Do not attempt to weld a cracked
drum.
If brake linings are to be replaced, a grooved drum
should be turned or replaced for use with new linings.
A grooved drum, if used with new lining, will not only
wear the lining, but will make it difficult, if not impossi-
ble, to obtain efficient brake performance.
An out-of-round drum makes accurate brake shoe
adjustment impossible and is likely to cause excessive
wear of other parts of brake mechanism due to its ec-
centric action. An out-of-round drum can also cause
severe and irregular tire tread wear as well as pulsating
brake pedal. When the braking surface of a brake drum
exceeds the factory specification limits in taper and/or
out-of-round, have it turned to true up the braking sur-
face, or have it replaced.
PARKING BRAKE
Adjustment of the parking brake cable is necessary
whenever holding ability is not adequate or whenever
the center brake cables have been disconnected. An
improperly adjusted parking brake cable may also
cause the brakes to drag.
The service brake must be properly adjusted as a
base for parking brake adjustment; conversely the
parking brake must be properly adjusted for the ser-
vice brake to function as intended.
Inspection
If
complete release of the parking brake is not pos-
sible without forcibly returning it to its released posi-
tion, or if application effort is high, check the parking
brake assembly for free operation. If operation is sticky
or binding is experienced, correct as follows:
1. Clean and lubricate brake cables and equalizer
with Delco Brake Lube (or equivalent).
2. Inspect brake assembly for straightness and
alignment (replace if necessary).
3. Clean and lubricate parking brake assembly with
Delco Brake Lube (or equivalent).
4. Check routing of cables for kinks or binding.
Cable Adjustment
1. Turn adjusting knob on parking brake lever
counterclockwise to stop.
2. Apply parking brake.
3. Loosen nut at intermediate cable equalizer and
then adjust nut to give light drag at rear wheels.
4. Readjust parking brake lever knob to give a
definite snap-over-center feel.
NOTE: This fastener is an important attaching
part in that it could affect the performance of vital
components and systems, and/or could result in