CLIFFORD HELP!!!!!!!

[Eagle]

I know you are on here because I see your little green light.

OK my problem is the coaches parking brake is stuck in the on position and the brakes will not release.  I was able to move the coach backwards a little but that did nor break them loose.  What is my next move.  Don't say ship it west young man.

JCB

[Van]

How long has the coach been parked?

[Eagle]

Van it has been sitting for about a month.

JCB

[luvrbus]

JC, does your Eagle have the DD3 or springs I forgot what year model you have



good luck

[Eagle]

It is a model 10 1985

[Eagle]

Also the park brake light stayed on for about 45 seconds after I shut the engine off.  This never happened before.

JCB

[luvrbus]

You have springs has to be a problem with the relay above the axle or the quick release do you have the cage bolts use those then you can move it check and make sure you have a air supply going to the springs when released,if not it will be the relay above the axle

good luck

[Eagle]

Your right again Clifford Quick release.  I may need to replace it before this happens again.

Thanks:

JCB

[rv_safetyman]

JCB, there are two common reasons for the brakes not releasing.  The first would be that the bus has sat a long time (many months) and the brake shoes have "welded" themselves to the the drum.  I don't think that happens very often.  The second reason is that the parking brake release system has some problem with a component sticking.  

As you know, you need to build full pressure and then apply the service brakes full on - after you push in the parking brake valve.  For the first few years I had my bus, the ability to release the brakes was a pretty significant problem and it kept getting worse.  I would apply the brakes full and nothing would happen.  One of two tries of that would bleed the pressure down and I would have to wait for the pressure to build back up.  Sometimes I would have to repeat that process several times.  I have heard several other Eagle owners with the same problem.

A few years ago I "converted" my parking brake system to a simple parking brake valve only (no brake pedal application required), like that of a truck.  In the photo below, you will see the old valve system and my bypass system.  I also had to do something to the parking brake application valve, but can't remember what.  Please be aware that I am not recommending a modification of your brake system.  I am telling you what I did.  I went to the Bendix Air Brake School and had the instructor review my modification before I implemented it.

Replacing the valve in front solved my problem.  I did not have to change any valves in the back.

I show the picture to also show you the valve that I suspect needs to be cleaned and "rebuilt".  It is located in the lower outer compartment beside the driver area.  For the life of me, I can not remember the name of the valve, nor describe the function now.

Jim

[luvrbus]

That is the service interlock valve Jim ties to quick release valve


good luck

[David Anderson]

JCB, there are two common reasons for the brakes not releasing.  The first would be that the bus has sat a long time (many months) and the brake shoes have "welded" themselves to the the drum.  I don't think that happens very often.  The second reason is that the parking brake release system has some problem with a component sticking.  

As you know, you need to build full pressure and then apply the service brakes full on - after you push in the parking brake valve.  For the first few years I had my bus, the ability to release the brakes was a pretty significant problem and it kept getting worse.  I would apply the brakes full and nothing would happen.  One of two tries of that would bleed the pressure down and I would have to wait for the pressure to build back up.  Sometimes I would have to repeat that process several times.  I have heard several other Eagle owners with the same problem.

A few years ago I "converted" my parking brake system to a simple parking brake valve only (no brake pedal application required), like that of a truck.  In the photo below, you will see the old valve system and my bypass system.  I also had to do something to the parking brake application valve, but can't remember what.  Please be aware that I am not recommending a modification of your brake system.  I am telling you what I did.  I went to the Bendix Air Brake School and had the instructor review my modification before I implemented it.

Replacing the valve in front solved my problem.  I did not have to change any valves in the back.

I show the picture to also show you the valve that I suspect needs to be cleaned and "rebuilt".  It is located in the lower outer compartment beside the driver area.  For the life of me, I can not remember the name of the valve, nor describe the function now.

Jim

Jim I have the same problem, and you and I have the same coach model.  Sometimes I have to pump the service brake 2 or 3 quick pumps and hold to get the parking brake to release.  It's never stranded me, but it is a bit annoying.  I've sort of learned to live with it but wonder if some part should be replaced in case I do get locked up stranded at O dark thirty somewhere.

David

[rv_safetyman]

David, I am convinced that the Service Interlock Valve was the culprit.  When I eliminated it from the system, my problems went away.  I did not change any other valves to make it work. 

In the Eagle repair manual it is labeled as an SV1 valve, but it does not look like the SV1 valve in the Bendix manual.

I am very pleased with the modification I made to my system.  Every time I release the brakes, there is no doubt that I will be able to roll - no service brake application required.

If you want to keep the valve, I would take it apart and clean and replace rubber parts.  I would suspect that it is an Eagle specific valve and not readily available (looks like a special part based on the Bendix manual).  If you want to find a rebuilt part, I would try the vendor I listed here:

http://www.eaglesinternational.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2052

Jim