How long do brakes on buses typically last? I estimate I have driven my bus about 80,000 miles since the brake shoes and drums were last replaced. I pulled off the tag axle drums recently and the shoes still seem to have a lot of life left.
I am glad that I won't have to replace my brakes any time soon as I would told my drums have to be replaced each time the shoes are replaced and the drums were not cheap in 2006.
Aside from doing a visual inspection on the brake blocks & shoes to see that their condition is acceptable the minimum acceptable thickness of the brake blocks as per the specific maintenance manual is all that is required.
Drums have their own criteria to follow. On our GM bus new brake blocks do not dictate the need for new drums.
What would be minimum acceptable thickness for the shoes? Mine all look to be 3/4" thick or so so I assume I'm good for a while except for the one that seems to have de-laminated.
Some brake blocks will hav e a scribe line on the edge, so you can see the useable lining that is left above the scribe.
Others, you need to know the measurement, and have a sufficiently accurate measuring tool.
With the drum off, depth left until the fasteners run the risk of scoring the drum is another belt and suspenders way to decide.
Busnuts are more likely to ha ve brake block material glaze or decay, than wear them out.
Busnuts do not typically use the brakes as aggressively as an in-service coach driver, and will get spectacular mileage compared to commercial service.
For those with unknown brake material, inherited from previous owners, beware of flaking material, indication of the linings ha ving been overheated, they don't grip properly.
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Dont forget having to change them because of a leaking oil seal.
How long is a string?? >>>D
Depends on the driving conditions doing highway miles they last for years doing stop and go city driving not so long
When I was driving truck, I averaged 350,000 miles per brake job. Out of everything replaced on my bus, the brakes are still in good shape (manual adjusters) and will put you through the windshield. Good Luck, TomC
Mine should last forever as I love the Jakes and use them all time so people will look at my bus! And I love the sound when revving the motor while in the campground too, not so sure I get much love back though. :(
Quote from: windtrader on August 30, 2020, 10:07:34 AM
Mine should last forever as I love the Jakes and use them all time so people will look at my bus! And I love the sound when revving the motor while in the campground too, not so sure I get much love back though. :(
Jakes on the 2 strokes are racket makers that is about all they do unless you are real lowed geared then you only have 2nd and 3rd they are affective in without a converter lock up valve for 1st gear, don't put you safety in danger depending on Jakes because 1 day it will bite you in the @$#
Quote from: luvrbus on August 30, 2020, 11:16:59 AMJakes on the 2 strokes are racket makers that is about all they do unless you are real lowed geared then you only have 2nd and 3rd they are affective in without a converter lock up valve for 1st gear, don't put you safety in danger depending on Jakes because 1 day it will bite you in the @$#
Luvrbus - I sent you a PM with a brake question. Thanks in advance for whatever answers you can provide.
Quote from: richard5933 on August 31, 2020, 07:55:44 AM
Luvrbus - I sent you a PM with a brake question. Thanks in advance for whatever answers you can provide.
Richard I am not at the shop to check on the number for you Sonja fell and broke her hip while we traveling and they had to do a complete hip replacement and graft some bones in her leg so I am in Flagstaff for awhile sorry
Quote from: luvrbus on August 31, 2020, 08:05:47 AM
Richard I am not at the shop to check on the number for you Sonja fell and broke her hip while we traveling and they had to do a complete hip replacement and graft some bones in her leg so I am in Flagstaff for awhile sorry
Sorry to hear that - all the best for Sonja having a quick and full recovery.
Quote from: luvrbus on August 30, 2020, 11:16:59 AMJakes on the 2 strokes are racket makers that is about all they do unless you are real lowed geared then you only have 2nd and 3rd they are affective in without a converter lock up valve for 1st gear, don't put you safety in danger depending on Jakes because 1 day it will bite you in the @$#
They work on my bus in all gears except for top gear with HT740 when I manually control gear selection. The bus mechanic who drove the bus I bought mentioned he just leaves the Jakes and I guess controls it via pedal feathering.
Here is a personal example with Jakes on - Pulling off freeway I'll coast and slow a bit on the off ramp, change down gear, wait for tranny to shift up, and can feel Jakes working and slowing vehicle.
Another example is driving on surface streets with Jakes on and transmission set in lower gear depending on average flow. Letting off Jakes kick in and often times slows enough to not have to hit the brakes.
Not sure why that is bad, what issues does that cause? I've asked before about proper Jake usage and never got any cautionary tales or even guidance on their use.
Sorry to hear about your wife. Take care, don
Quote from: windtrader on August 31, 2020, 10:29:23 AM
They work on my bus in all gears except for top gear with HT740 when I manually control gear selection. The bus mechanic who drove the bus I bought mentioned he just leaves the Jakes and I guess controls it via pedal feathering.
Here is a personal example with Jakes on - Pulling off freeway I'll coast and slow a bit on the off ramp, change down gear, wait for tranny to shift up, and can feel Jakes working and slowing vehicle.
Another example is driving on surface streets with Jakes on and transmission set in lower gear depending on average flow. Letting off Jakes kick in and often times slows enough to not have to hit the brakes.
Not sure why that is bad, what issues does that cause? I've asked before about proper Jake usage and never got any cautionary tales or even guidance on their use.
Sorry to hear about your wife. Take care, don
Jakes only work in the lockup mode they don't work through a converter,do you a test stop using the Jakes and check the difference in oil consumption,they come on in 4th lock up you just don't notice it
Cliff is there much of a difference in oil consumption between the MUI and DDEC?
Quote from: Van on August 31, 2020, 11:53:06 AM
Cliff is there much of a difference in oil consumption between the MUI and DDEC?
The DDEC's usually are better on oil consumption than a MUI engine even with the same parts but Jakes's cause increase crank pressure then more leaks and more oil consumption on both.The Jakes will leave spots on the rear and you can see the blue smoke when activated .As you know I install a lot of Jakes lol and people tell me adjust to .050 they work better I say no it is .059 with the Jake gauge after you leave adjust to what ever suits you
Quote from: luvrbus on August 31, 2020, 01:37:10 PM
The DDEC's usually are better on oil consumption than a MUI engine even with the same parts but Jakes's cause increase crank pressure then more leaks and more oil consumption on both.The Jakes will leave spots on the rear and you can see the blue smoke when activated .As you know I install a lot of Jakes lol and people tell me adjust to .050 they work better I say no it is .059 with the Jake gauge after you leave adjust to what ever suits you
I've got Jakes on an 8V71 and can confirm more spotting on the rear of the bus when they're on. No noticeable increase in oil consumption (I've actually only had to add a total of two gallons in all the time I've owned the bus, aside from oil changes.)
With the 4-speed they are moderately effective at slowing down the bus, with a noticeable stopping when they kick in. They won't bring the bus to a stop like on a new bus/truck, but they sure save having to use the service brakes as much.
The Jakes on a loaded semi with modern 4 stroke don't slow you down any better than on a bus with a 2 stroke in the higher gears. You really feel them in the lower gears on either vehicle.
Quote from: lostagain on August 31, 2020, 06:26:05 PM
The Jakes on a loaded semi with modern 4 stroke don't slow you down any better than on a bus with a 2 stroke in the higher gears. You really feel them in the lower gears on either vehicle.
Maybe not all of them, but the Freightliner I was driving recently at work would bring the truck speed down pretty quickly if the engine brake lever was accidentally pushed to the third stage. The smart cruise applies the engine brakes on its own, and it will wake you up when they come on full force if you're not expecting it. I haven't driven a lot of trucks yet, but I know when I'm being thrown off my seat back.
If you want a real treat, have the service brakes self apply when some jerk cuts in too close and the collision avoidance kicks in. That'll make you pucker.
JC you need to drive my ISX 15 it has Jakes brakes I never had engine brakes that work as good as the ISX 15
Clifford, next time I visit, I look forward to a test drive, lol.
I find the Jakes feel about the same in a 30,000 lb bus with a 2 stroke as they do in a loaded semi with 4 stroke (80,000 lb, or 140,000 lb for a B train).
In my MC5 with 6V92TA/HT740, I can feel them a bit in 4th gear. They really slow me down, and hold me back on a 8% grade in 3rd, and I turn them off in 2nd, unless I am going down a 10% grade. I think I remember I adjusted them at .059".
Quote from: lostagain on September 01, 2020, 05:38:02 AM
Clifford, next time I visit, I look forward to a test drive, lol.
I find the Jakes feel about the same in a 30,000 lb bus with a 2 stroke as they do in a loaded semi with 4 stroke (80,000 lb, or 140,000 lb for a B train).
In my MC5 with 6V92TA/HT740, I can feel them a bit in 4th gear. They really slow me down, and hold me back on a 8% grade in 3rd, and I turn them off in 2nd, unless I am going down a 10% grade. I think I remember I adjusted them at .059".
The jakes are tied to the cruise it only applies enough to keep your set speed and to keep the engine from turning over 2100 rpm I never touch the brake coming down from Flagstaff to Phoenix or from Golden Valley to Bullhead City,I had to watch my 8v92 on those grades I would look and the engine would be turning 2500 +rpm lol I am really starting to like these electronic controls
As far as "How long do brakes typically last?" We are running most of the original brake blocks on our bus since 1979 purchase.
Da book specific to our bus states when center of brake block (shoe) thickness is down to 5/16" - replace them. New they are 3/4" thick.
The above only addresses brake lining thickness. There are a host of other factors as have been stated in this post that effect lining replacement.
Clifford sorry to hear about Sona we are down in Cornville let me know if I can help.
On my 8V-71 with V730 and 4.56 rear end, my 60mph cruise is 1,900rpm. Pulling my car (34,750lbs) coming down the north bound Grapevine I-5, I have to switch from 1 to 2 Jake brake to keep up speed. If I pull the shifter down to 1, I can get partial (1 inch from the floor) acceleration torque converter lockup as low as 20mph. Good Luck, TomC