First Problem with my Bus..

[Highway Yacht]

I've got an MCI that I purchased a couple weeks ago. I just noticed it doing something that it shouldn't be doing. The spot I park my bus on is on a slight incline. I've noticed twice that I've parked my bus and when I returned to it the next day, it had rolled 10 to 12 feet. The other time it appeared to have rolled close to 20 feet. I know for a fact that the Park Brakes were applied when it was parked. Also it stops while still on the incline so that leads me to believe when the Park Brakes malfunction that it is only for a few seconds before the brakes re-apply since it doesn't roll all the way to the bottom of the incline. I can hear a small air leak in the Park Brake valve when I shut the engine down so I'm wondering if that is where the trouble is. The bus does have other air leaks too but they don't seem any worse than most other buses. Does the air pressure hold the bus in place until it leaks down low enough for the spring brakes to hold???  Here is a picture of the incline my bus is parked on. That incline goes for approximately 200 ft but so far about 20 feet is the furtherest it has rolled.  Any ideas or advice??

[luvrbus]

Adjust your brakes and grease the DD-3 good then you will be fine,they get full of dirt and rust over the years and balls on the ratchets locks don't work to lock you probably just have one side holding



good luck

[steve wardwell]

that at the very least has to be nerve racking......put some shock blocks 6'' in front of wheels (after fixing) to keep tabs on it

[jordansinthesky]

One should always use chocks when parking on an incline correct?

[FloridaCliff]

The bus does have other air leaks too but they don't seem any worse than most other buses. Does the air pressure hold the bus in place until it leaks down low enough for the spring brakes to hold??? 

The air releases the brakes, they should hold regardless of whether you have air or not.

Clifford gives sage advice.

Cliff (the other Cliff)

[FloridaCliff]

One should always use chocks when parking on an incline correct?

I would, but then again, I don't like searching for the coach.....

Cliff

[Chopper Scott]

I have a set of chock blocks (sp) but I use them to tie the dog's leash to! In your case I think  that maybe a wise idea. But anytime you get any advise from Clifford it is gold.

[gumpy]

Maybe it's just me, but I think if I parked my bus on an incline and it moved by itself, I wouldn't park it on the incline a second time without figuring out what the problem is and fixing it.

[rv_safetyman]

That looks like a fairly new MCI.  Do the newer MCIs have DD3 or spring brakes?

If spring brakes, I would suspect some brakes that are quite a ways out of adjustment.  As was noted, an air leak would not affect the parking side of the spring brakes.

Jim

[gumpy]

That looks like a fairly new MCI.  Do the newer MCIs have DD3 or spring brakes?

Looks like an MC9 with a paint job and maybe some updated fiberglass.

DD3s. Probably needing adjustment and/or grease. Possibly in need of diaphragms.

[Busted Knuckle]

That looks like a fairly new MCI.  Do the newer MCIs have DD3 or spring brakes?

If spring brakes, I would suspect some brakes that are quite a ways out of adjustment.  As was noted, an air leak would not affect the parking side of the spring brakes.

Jim

Jim I have some buses for sale!

As all have said the DD3's will rust up with out proper maintenance. Take Clifford's advice and use it! (Clifford's advice is like $ in the bank!)
  BK 

[Hcklbery]

Well if ALL ELSE fails than tell the wife or kids or both
to stop farting around with your sanity.

(of course this depends on how long you've been a BUSNUT as sanity may not apply leaving you stuck at the farting part of your admonishment creating a whole new set of problems).


JUST SAYING !!!

[Hcklbery]

I can hear ya now.

"AHH CUT IT OUT"

LOL

[Stolaas]

I park mine on a serious incline with problems. I'm in a covenant neighborhood...

[niles500]

Definitely sounds like your slack adjusters aren't