spring brake question??

[Denny]

My 04 has spring brakes.  Yesterday I was checking for any air leaks with my spray bottle and found a very slight leak coming from the band on the brake can.  I was able to tighten the bolts and stopped most of the leak.  This leak was detected with the spring brakes released.  Question: is this normal?  Is this the start of a problem?  The leak is very slight but I don't know if this is a sign of problems ahead.  We are leaving for a month trip to Mexico next week and I sure don't want problems there.

Thanks
Denny

[Dallas]

Maybe you could clarify a bit for me, (I'm kinda dumb most of the time).
Are you talking about "Spring Brakes, as in there are 2 brake cans piggybacked on each wheel? Or are you talkining about the original single brake can that was held together by a number of bolts?

If it's the latter, it's a really easy job to pull the can apart and replace the diaphragm.

If it's the former, DO NOT take it apart without knowing what you are doing. There is a heavy spring in there that will at the very least cause you a multitude of bruises and contusions, and at worst cause you to miss your trip because you'll be a little dead.

And in answer to your question, yes, this is normal.... for a worn out or cracked diaphragm. It's time for a replacement.

IHTH
Dallas

[oldmansax]

It's the beginning of a problem. There should be no air leaking from your brake chamber. It may last a long time or it may fail in the next hour. if I were going to Mexico or any long trip with limited mechanical resources, I would fix it.

TOM

[Lee Bradley]

Might by a good time to look at all of them. They are probably all the same age.

[tekebird]

leaking break diaphram??

[Tom Y]

If they are spring brakes just buy new ones. If they are DD3 rebuild or replace.  Spring brakes are cheap and unsafe to tear apart if you don't know how. DON"T GET HURT.  Tom Y

[Denny]

Thanks all of you for validating my fear about the brake cans leaking.  I knew in the back of my mind that it was a bad symptom and your comments made sense that they needed replacing.  I have an appointment tomorrow to get them replaced.

Thanks again
Denny

[Denny]

I took the bus to a shop and they pulled both brake cans off.  They were not able to put new ones on because the new ones were a little different so we replaced the diaphrams.  Of the old ones all were age checked and two of them were badly cracked where they clamp to the chamber.  One had a wear hole in the rubber exposing the cord inside. Really bad shape.

Thanks again for the good advice
Denny