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Brakes & Wheel Bearing Questions - 1976 Dodge M500

Home > Discussion Forum > Mechanic's Corner - Brakes

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Brakes & Wheel Bearing Questions - 1976 Dodge M500 Phil 6-17-05  
First post here...

I'm self-educating (on MH ownership) and performing some needed maintenance on our "new" 76 Sportscoach (Dodge M500 Chassis w/440-3 engine) we just received from Mom & Dad. I've already had some great advice here on chasing down electrical gremlins, so now I'm on to the drivetrain. So here's my latest Q's:

1) Brake work: The first time I press down on brake pedal, it drops too close to floor (not quite to floor, but close) - the second time (and thereafter)it stops where I think it should, but feels a bit mushy (Dad says it's always been mushy). It doesn't appear to sink, however. I've also lost a little bit of fluid out of rear section of master cylinder (maybe an inch or so). I'm thinking fluid has contamination/air, and was planning of doing complete flush of system, and probably replacing wheel cylinders and 3 flex lines (and rear brake shoes/front pads, if needed). I have the Dodge manual which gives OK instructions (especially if you have the listed "special tools"), but I'm looking for more practical, everyday advice and experiences. I've found some good info while searching here, but though I'd post and ask for more. So, any links or general and/or rig-specific advice and experiences on MH brake work - bleeding, repairs, etc?

Since I will have brakes apart, I need to put it back together, so this leads to wheel bearing work (Q2):

2) I've done some rear wheel work, and found some info here, most of it specific to trailers/fivers, and not to MH chassis. My main concern is in replacing and/or repacking wheel bearings. I'm mostly concerned about getting the bearing pre-load correct. The manual is very vague about this. I'm planning on cleaning and repacking bearings (I've read several threads about cleaning, and have a bearing packer, so I'm confident about this part of it), but making certain the bearings should be re-used, and setting the correct bearing pre-load (front and rear) on this big of a rig has ne concerned. Looking for techniques/advice/experience/weblinks which are specific to MH chassis. Any help here?

This is a very helpful forum, and (as I've stated above) already got some great info, and asking again. Thanks in advance.

Phil
Re: Brakes & Wheel Bearing Questions - 1976 Dodge M500 Anthony Hahn 8-17-05  
After cleaning the bearings if they are not servicable replace, I know thats obvious, then repack using packing tool, don't worry about over packing its a myth, any excess will be spun into the inner portion of the hub and or into the bearing hub cap without difficulty. I have packed bearings for almost 20 years and have never found that two much is a bad thing. Use a good grade grease, I use synthetic because it doesn't break down as quickly handles water well and handles periodic driving without drying out like standard grease does. Hopes this helps a little.

Tony
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