Hillbilly Hilton brakes

upnover

upnover

Grumpy, decrepit Old Man
Moderator
Joined
Mar 20, 2005
Location
Morganton NC
When I bought the Hilton, I knew it had a leak in the master cylinder. no biggie, at least that's what I thought.
I bought a MC that looked like what I had. Very slight differences in it.The push rod is held in with a combination of a snap ring, and a washer. The washer was just a little small, so I made one out of a washer I had. Little thicker, but no biggie! ( WOW, how wrong could I be!)The bolt holes were just a little wider. No problem, I drilled out the mounting holes to the next size and it bolted up fine.
Bled out the brakes good pedal and all was good. The day I headed out for the Toy run in Mnt City, I got about a mile from home, and it would barely go. I could smell the brakes. I pulled off and could hear and smell them boiling inside the calipers. Calling friends, I figured out I didn't have them adjusted right, so I adjusted them. I also had to crack open the brake lines to release the pressure. All is good, it rolled as soon as I put into gear. Got on I 40, stopped at the fuel station and filled up. Off again, another mile, and locking up again. Bleed the lines, more adjustment, and off again. Several more times of this routine and I finally got to Mnt City. Same scenario on the way back home.
Well off to the shop to get them fixed, same thing to get it there.
Sooooo, long story short, I have had to replace everything in the brake system. First round of ordering the parts, got the right calipers, wrong rotors. So the search began for the right rotors. Found one supplier, they wanted $375 each! finally found another supplier through the internet and they were cheaper. $379 for two, shipped. So, on the the rear. I ruined the rear brakes too. They had to have everything, small parts, drums, the works. Drums were $180 each. All total so far I am into almost $1200 for the brakes, and that number will rise.
So, the problem??? The washer I made to retain the pushrod in the MC! The thickness of it doesn't allow the piston to come forward enough to release the brakes pressure! So that it what lacks as of now to make them work as they should.

Counting the rear output shaft I broke on the Jeep the trip cost me around $2000. Sooo, if telling this embarrassing story keeps one person from making the same mistake, all this typing will have been worth it.
 
Damn talk about "stupid tax"

Sorry to hear that man.
On the good side, at least you got to go wheeling.....
 
braxton357 said:
Sucks to hear. Why are the parts so expensive? What kind of axle/drivetrain parts does it use?
Click to expand...

I guess because they are so obsolete. It has a Dodge Chassis, Rated ton and a half. It's 8 lug stuff, just a bigger pattern and lug than modern day one ton stuff.
 
Chip - a few things.
1) Did you save the original Master ? If not, did you at least snap a few pics or write down any numbers off it? There has to be a more common vehicle that also used those parts from the era, something more apt to be in a parts book.

2) Did all the rotors/drums warp ?

On your axles
Rear D70?
Front 6k#(?) drop axle (I-Beam)

Here is what I'd do... I'd replace the entire axle units from a later model. I think almost any 1ton or higher vehicle would be a good candidate for swapping parts.

Ex. Chevy made 3500HDs they were 15k rated had a 10lug axle (5lug front) ran 19.5s, D135 rear axle, (usually 4.56s) and were rear disks etc.. I've seen those go for $1000-1500 with no/popped engines.

Chevy P30 (P-vans) had solid front beam axles, 14b or better rears. etc..

What size disks are up front ? Just for size reference.

Just thinking outside the box some...

edit:
P30 van just for reference. http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/820125596.html
older/same ad w/ cheaper price :D http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/780261454.html
(take what you want sell/scrap the rest (alum. body, 6.2 diesel etc)
Note: Guy on here was selling the 8lug 19.5" wheels, so you'd be able to sell your 17.5" np

#2 http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/811705901.html

#3 F450 C&C (Charlotte) http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/818621307.html
 
Thanks for the research Mike, but, it's done. Only thing left is to take the washer out so it can release pressure. I didn't save the old MC, it was a core. But, besides the two small differences it was the same as the old one.
It's all bought and in, so no going to something else now. rotos were worn bad, one was broke. drums were also worn down bad, springs and small parts melted or gone. All everything replaced!
 
Well, it continues.

Worked on the MC, have that issue resolved, was bleeding and here a strange swooosh

Sucked all of the brake fluid out. long story short, it has a hydro vac system, and one of the boosters underneath went out. most likely a diaphragm busted. when this happens, the pedal goes to the floor.
Found the parts, gonna replace them both. another $326.00 spent!

bright side,......I am glad it went out where it did, when it did. that failure on the road would be catastrophic!
 
upnover said:
I am glad it went out where it did, when it did. that failure on the road would be catastrophic!
Click to expand...

Amen brother! Having grown up in/around various travel trailers (the last was a 28' Coachman MH), you see things that make you cringe. While the construction may allow them to stay together on the road, once they contact other (immovable) objects, they explode like a brick :poop: house! Little chance the wooden construction will stay intact or stay connected to the frame...

Might be time to think of building a cage for the front section (properly tied to the frame of course!) :lol:
 
Dave, believe it or not, this thing has heavy wall square tube frame. while not what you want for weight, it's lots stronger than the ones you see Grave Digger fly through.
 
Well. the Hilton rolled home last night under her own power and much easier I might add.
Complete new brake system in, it rolls much easier. Of coarse I noticed the obvious, seems to use less fuel, and accelerates much easier. Can't wait to see how it performs without having to fight the brake drag with a load behind it.
BIG thanks to David at Mintons Automotive in Granite Falls (3DKrawler on this board) for all of his help and facilities.
 
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