Jake brakes 'sticking'

[richard5933]

At the risk of sounding like a Debbie downer, or a lazy driver. I've experienced this many times in my driving career and on many types of Jake equipped Coaches, Crowns, and Tractors. I've developed a keen mistrust of the very finicky adjustment tolerances, and timing of the switch(s) involved, either on the governor housing, or on the actual throttle linkages.

Whenever I sense the Jakes not coming on, or going off, which I feel is even worse, Valves hitting pistons and such, I default to the tried and true driver overide and simply turn off the Jakes at the dash until I need them on a downhill grade. I know it removes the fun of having everyone around hearing the Jakes, which is great sport indeed, but from a strictly operational point of view we really don't need them to be turned on at the dash until we need them, if you know what I mean.

I've become truly mistrustful of all the engine/throttle linkage switch setups and have become a manual Jake switch myself, and only turn on the dash switch when I'm engaging in a downgrade and I've fully removed my foot from the throttle. I've even thought of moving the dash switch to a much easier to reach location so I can turn it on and off without reaching or being distracted and having to look at it. But that's just me not trusting the nice little automatic switching feature, and doing it myself. Kind of like I prefer to have a stick shift and control my vehicle myself instead of trusting an automatic to do it, and downshift without lugging the engine, if you know what I mean, and I'm sure you all do. Simpler is better, and I can learn to handle my vehicle better than any automation.

Not bad advice, at least till this is all worked out.

I do have a momentary foot pedal for the Jakes installed which I can use exactly how you're describing. It would work well for the occasional downhill around here. We have an upcoming trip to New Mexico coming up, and once I'm in the Santa Fe area I'd like to have them working the way they should.

Besides, I'm kind of OCD and if there is a system on my bus I like to have it working as it should be.

[6805eagleguy]

Besides, I'm kind of OCD

Hold on a sec. it's possible this is a understatement...

[richard5933]

Hold on a sec. it's possible this is a understatement...

No, it's not.

[6805eagleguy]

Richard, just pulling your leg. I am very impressed by your bus... and the original systems.

[dtcerrato]

I need to throw my 2 cents in here. Besides our 42 year beloved 4104 we have always been fond of the Buffalo. With that being said Richard has the finest specimen of a converted Buffalo - professionally at that, that we've ever seen! Can you tell we're vintage GM enthusiasts? 

[luvrbus]

I need to throw my 2 cents in here. Besides our 42 year beloved 4104 we have always been fond of the Buffalo. With that being said Richard has the finest specimen of a converted Buffalo - professionally at that, that we've ever seen! Can you tell we're vintage GM enthusiasts? 

I am going ask Brad if can post photos of his 4107 it is a work of art and I don't even like buffalos but love his 4107

[windtrader]

You mean show pictures of his Jake brakes? We are expert at sending topics to the moon in minutes. love it

[dtcerrato]

I am going ask Brad if can post photos of his 4107 it is a work of art and I don't even like buffalos but love his 4107

Go for it, I'd love to see it.

[richard5933]

Quick update...

Seems the entire problem was some moisture which got into the works, causing a bit of surface rust on the plunger and other working bits causing them to hang up and not allow the micro-switch to release. A little lubrication and time working things manually and all is good again.

[luvrbus]

The open style buffer with the antique micro switches are a PITA to keep working it has to many working parts and people go nuts when they flip the fast idle on and the Detroit takes offs into space for a second or two,iit wasn't a real good design effort on Jakes part