Brake Fluid Low

D

daniel deluca

New member
Jun 16, 2014
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I got around to paying attention to My GMC for the first time in about 10 months. After doing some cleanup and replacing some filters the coach
started right up. When I went to move it I had virtually no brakes. It had brakes when I parked it last fall. I took a look at the Master Cylinder
and the front reservoir was empty. I toped it off pumped the brakes and drove up and down the driveway a few times and the brakes returned to normal
as far as I can tell. I then took it for a few mile ride to get gas. I could not find a leak at the lines, but I did not pull the wheels off. All
the rubber lines are fairly new, the metal lines are original. I have 80mm front calipers stock rear breaks.

My question is it this something I should be worried about? I have no idea why the fluid would leak down just sitting there, but I guess its possible
they leaked down slowly during use and I never noticed it. I don't believe I ever topped off the fluid after replacing the brake parts and getting
the coach road worthy a few years ago. Thanks for your input!

Dan

--
Dan DeLuca
1978 Eleganza II (http://imgur.com/gallery/YFHhK)
Parked at Evil Monkey Farm in
Allentown, New Jersey
 
Lines could be rotted with very slow leak or wheel cylinders could be leaking when sitting.
Most fluid will he on linings etc and not on ground ---yet
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
 
It is normal for the front to go down as the pads wear down. Not so much
for rear. You should remove the drums to check for leaky cylinder.

On Mon, Aug 28, 2017 at 8:27 PM, John R. Lebetski
wrote:

> Lines could be rotted with very slow leak or wheel cylinders could be
> leaking when sitting.
> Most fluid will he on linings etc and not on ground ---yet
> --
> John Lebetski
> Woodstock, IL
> 77 Eleganza II
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Rear wheel cylinders can leak alot of fluid without any visable.

Front reservoir is normally for the rear brakes.

You could keep a really close eye on it. But you have an issue that will probably get worse.

Even though the job kinda sucks, rear brake cylinder are inexpensive to replace if they are the problem.
--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
 
If you reversed the lines to the reservoir when you installed the 80mm
front calipers, the front reservoir will go down as the front pads wear.
If you didn't check the level before parking, that may be the answer.

Ken H.

> I got around to paying attention to My GMC for the first time in about 10
> months. After doing some cleanup and replacing some filters the coach
> started right up. When I went to move it I had virtually no brakes. It
> had brakes when I parked it last fall. I took a look at the Master
> Cylinder
> and the front reservoir was empty. I toped it off pumped the brakes and
> drove up and down the driveway a few times and the brakes returned to normal
> as far as I can tell. I then took it for a few mile ride to get gas. I
> could not find a leak at the lines, but I did not pull the wheels off. All
> the rubber lines are fairly new, the metal lines are original. I have
> 80mm front calipers stock rear breaks.
>
> My question is it this something I should be worried about? I have no
> idea why the fluid would leak down just sitting there, but I guess its
> possible
> they leaked down slowly during use and I never noticed it. I don't
> believe I ever topped off the fluid after replacing the brake parts and
> getting
> the coach road worthy a few years ago. Thanks for your input!
>
> Dan
>
> --
> Dan DeLuca
> 1978 Eleganza II (http://imgur.com/gallery/YFHhK)
> Parked at Evil Monkey Farm in
> Allentown, New Jersey
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
So normally the front reservoir is for the rear brakes? I don't think I switched the lines, but it is possible. It sure seamed like it was the front
brakes that were not working in the driveway. I'll have to pull there rear drums. I do hate jacking the coach up. Thanks!
--
Dan DeLuca
1978 Eleganza II (http://imgur.com/gallery/YFHhK)
Parked at Evil Monkey Farm in
Allentown, New Jersey
 
Yes, the front reservoir originally served the rear brakes. You'd probably
remember if you swapped them because it would have been necessary to
acquire thread adapters to make the swap.

You need to check those rear brakes. Remember when you jack the rear to
release the pressure from the air bags as soon as the jack under the bogie
takes the weight, otherwise you may damage the shock absorbers. Placing a
12" x 3" steel bar (spring leaf) in the bogie beneath the suspension arms
will make the required jacking distance much less.

​HTH,​

Ken H.

> So normally the front reservoir is for the rear brakes? I don't think I
> switched the lines, but it is possible. It sure seamed like it was the
> front
> brakes that were not working in the driveway. I'll have to pull there
> rear drums. I do hate jacking the coach up. Thanks!
> --
> Dan DeLuca
> 1978 Eleganza II (http://imgur.com/gallery/YFHhK)
> Parked at Evil Monkey Farm in
> Allentown, New Jersey
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
So normally the front reservoir is for the rear brakes? I don't think I switched the lines, but it is possible. It sure seamed like it was the front
brakes that were not working in the driveway. I'll have to pull there rear drums. I do hate jacking the coach up. Thanks!
--
Dan DeLuca
1978 Eleganza II (http://imgur.com/gallery/YFHhK)
Parked at Evil Monkey Farm in
Allentown, New Jersey
 
With air in half, you have the other half left. I drove the 23' home to North GA from Orlando that way.... very carefully, and we bypassed Atlanta.

--johnny
--
76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
 
On Tue, Aug 29, 2017 at 8:02 AM Ken Henderson
wrote:

> Yes, the front reservoir originally served the rear brakes. You'd probably
> remember if you swapped them because it would have been necessary to
> acquire thread adapters to make the swap.
>
> You need to check those rear brakes. Remember when you jack the rear to
> release the pressure from the air bags as soon as the jack under the bogie
> takes the weight, otherwise you may damage the shock absorbers. Placing a
> 12" x 3" steel bar (spring leaf) in the bogie beneath the suspension arms
> will make the required jacking distance much less.

Read here
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/jacking-up-the-gmc-hooks-2c-ramps-n-stuff/p2278.html

>
> ​HTH,​
>
> Ken H.
>
>

>
> > So normally the front reservoir is for the rear brakes? I don't think I
> > switched the lines, but it is possible. It sure seamed like it was the
> > front
> > brakes that were not working in the driveway. I'll have to pull there
> > rear drums. I do hate jacking the coach up. Thanks!
> > --
> > Dan DeLuca
> > 1978 Eleganza II (http://imgur.com/gallery/YFHhK)
> > Parked at Evil Monkey Farm in
> > Allentown, New Jersey
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://bdub.net/gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://bdub.net/gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
 
Ken,

I'll add my $0.02!

If you put the steel bar in and don't bleed off the bag pressure you WILL bend the steel bar!

Who was the dummy that did that at your place - oops it was me!

BTW I remember you showing me the bogie that came off Double Trouble when it was owned by Skip and Mary Newhouse. IIRC it was cracked. Among the tools in Double Trouble when I bought it I found two aluminum blocks which were 3/4" thick that fit between the bogie and the bogie arm. They were better than a leaf spring because they were thicker so you wouldn't have to jack up the bogie as much to remove the tire. However, if you didn't let off the pressure they would not bend and would transfer all the force from the air bags into the bogie.

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808


-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of gene Fisher
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2017 6:48 AM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Brake Fluid Low

On Tue, Aug 29, 2017 at 8:02 AM Ken Henderson
wrote:

> Yes, the front reservoir originally served the rear brakes. You'd probably
> remember if you swapped them because it would have been necessary to
> acquire thread adapters to make the swap.
>
> You need to check those rear brakes. Remember when you jack the rear to
> release the pressure from the air bags as soon as the jack under the bogie
> takes the weight, otherwise you may damage the shock absorbers. Placing a
> 12" x 3" steel bar (spring leaf) in the bogie beneath the suspension arms
> will make the required jacking distance much less.

Read here
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/jacking-up-the-gmc-hooks-2c-ramps-n-stuff/p2278.html

>
> ​HTH,​
>
> Ken H.
>
>

>
> > So normally the front reservoir is for the rear brakes? I don't think I
> > switched the lines, but it is possible. It sure seamed like it was the
> > front
> > brakes that were not working in the driveway. I'll have to pull there
> > rear drums. I do hate jacking the coach up. Thanks!
> > --
> > Dan DeLuca
> > 1978 Eleganza II (http://imgur.com/gallery/YFHhK)
> > Parked at Evil Monkey Farm in
> > Allentown, New Jersey
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://bdub.net/gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://bdub.net/gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Another bad spot is the combination valve If you still have the iron valve, while you are there, change to the bronze combination valve. Water will
rust up the iron one. Causes interesting brake problems
Tom, MS II
--
1975 GMC Avion
KA4CSG
 
Thank you for the picture of the steel bar and the Bogie. I have read many times how to use one when jacking up the coach but never really
understood. I have a piece of cast iron that I could cut to length. hopefully this makes jacking up the rear a little less troubling. Is a 3 ton
floor jack adequate?

Dan
--
Dan DeLuca
1978 Eleganza II (http://imgur.com/gallery/YFHhK)
Parked at Evil Monkey Farm in
Allentown, New Jersey
 
Dan,

Yes, a three ton floor jack is adequate.

See my message 3 Ton Floor Jack on sale.

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808


-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Daniel DeLuca
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2017 11:07 AM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Brake Fluid Low

Thank you for the picture of the steel bar and the Bogie. I have read many times how to use one when jacking up the coach but never
really understood. I have a piece of cast iron that I could cut to length. hopefully this makes jacking up the rear a little less
troubling. Is a 3 ton floor jack adequate?

Dan
 
Cast iron is not the same as a piece of leaf spring or even cold roll steel. (which will bend) If it fails, it does not bend, but breaks. I wouldn't
use it.

> Thank you for the picture of the steel bar and the Bogie. I have read many times how to use one when jacking up the coach but never really
> understood. I have a piece of cast iron that I could cut to length. hopefully this makes jacking up the rear a little less troubling. Is a 3 ton
> floor jack adequate?
>
> Dan

--
Patti & Jerry Burt
73 Gmc 26' Canyon Lands -
77 Palm Beach
Members: FMCA - GMCMI - GMCWS - Pacific Cruisers - 49ers
 
I found two pieces of aluminum about 3/4" thick in Double Trouble that fit between the bogie arms and the bogie box.

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808


-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Jerry Burt
Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2017 9:05 AM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Brake Fluid Low

Cast iron is not the same as a piece of leaf spring or even cold roll steel. (which will bend) If it fails, it does not bend, but
breaks. I wouldn't
use it.

> Thank you for the picture of the steel bar and the Bogie. I have read many times how to use one when jacking up the coach but
never really
> understood. I have a piece of cast iron that I could cut to length. hopefully this makes jacking up the rear a little less
troubling. Is a 3 ton
> floor jack adequate?
>
> Dan

--
Patti & Jerry Burt
73 Gmc 26' Canyon Lands -
77 Palm Beach
Members: FMCA - GMCMI - GMCWS - Pacific Cruisers - 49ers

_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Those blocks are what Tom Warner used to ship.

Emery Stora

>
> I found two pieces of aluminum about 3/4" thick in Double Trouble that fit between the bogie arms and the bogie box.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> The Pedantic Mechanic
> Sydney, Australia
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
> USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Jerry Burt
> Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2017 9:05 AM
> To: gmclist
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Brake Fluid Low
>
> Cast iron is not the same as a piece of leaf spring or even cold roll steel. (which will bend) If it fails, it does not bend, but
> breaks. I wouldn't
> use it.
>

>> Thank you for the picture of the steel bar and the Bogie. I have read many times how to use one when jacking up the coach but
> never really
>> understood. I have a piece of cast iron that I could cut to length. hopefully this makes jacking up the rear a little less
> troubling. Is a 3 ton
>> floor jack adequate?
>>
>> Dan
>
>
> --
> Patti & Jerry Burt
> 73 Gmc 26' Canyon Lands -
> 77 Palm Beach
> Members: FMCA - GMCMI - GMCWS - Pacific Cruisers - 49ers
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
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