johntelling Report post Posted February 4, 2017 I have been told by an RV service place that the brakes on my coach (2005 Fleetwood Excursion, Spartan chassis, 350 Cat) are glazed. It seems to take a while to stop, and needs quite a bit of foot pressure to hold it at a stop light, but I don't have much to compare it with. What is the best way to deglaze them? I have heard that repeated hard stops from about 45 mph works, but it sounds a bit brutal. Do I need to have the discs and drums turned? Thanks, JT Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillAdams Report post Posted February 4, 2017 Wow, have have not heard that term since the 70"s. I hope someone with more current information will come along as my first impression is the service center is looking to make some extra money from you! I hope someone comes along and explains why I am wrong! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfe10 Report post Posted February 4, 2017 JT, Yes, to deglaze brakes (which can happen if the exhaust brake is used and service brakes are not use, except lightly) is to apply them firmly (not lock-up, but firmly) a couple of times. If that doesn't work, the next step is to pull the drums on drum brakes pads on disk brakes and rough up the shoes/pads and drums/disks with 80 grit sand paper to remove the glaze. VERY unlikely you need new shoes/pads unless they are oil-soaked (another issue). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johntelling Report post Posted February 4, 2017 Thanks, Brett, I will give that a try. I am quite sure that I have overused the PakBrake to the detriment of the service brakes. I will have to have a shop take off the wheels and sand the parts if that is needed, and I bet that won't be cheap! JT Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted February 4, 2017 One outher thing, glazing is not something that would require the drums or disk to be turned. Just roughed up with sandpaper as Brett said. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johntelling Report post Posted February 4, 2017 Thanks, Bill. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted February 4, 2017 12 minutes ago, johntelling said: Thanks, Bill. You are welcome, I hate to hear about shops trying to do unnecessary work. Why not write a report in RV service reviews. http://www.rvservicereviews.com/Index.asp Seldom if ever have I heard of brake problems. But as you say they aren't stopping as well as you would like, I would go and do like Brett said, Do about 5-6 hard stops just using the service brakes. Let us know if that helps your stopping. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johntelling Report post Posted February 4, 2017 I will try the hard stop method, but I think I will leave the wife at home and replace any broken dishes before returning! JT Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
desertdeals69 Report post Posted February 4, 2017 I was told by Spartan to go down a steep long grade and intermittently apply the brakes hard to heat them up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted February 4, 2017 28 minutes ago, johntelling said: I will try the hard stop method, but I think I will leave the wife at home and replace any broken dishes before returning! JT Probably a good idea. Remember objects in the overhead compartments may shift during flight. You don't need to do an all out panic stop, just 85% of one. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wayne77590 Report post Posted February 5, 2017 I've read that when in areas where the speed is reduced, think towns, to turn off the exhaust brake and just use the service brake and that will help keep the brakes from glazing. Anyone? My exhaust brake is on all the time except for slow driving. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted February 5, 2017 2 hours ago, Wayne77590 said: I've read that when in areas where the speed is reduced, think towns, to turn off the exhaust brake and just use the service brake and that will help keep the brakes from glazing. Anyone? My exhaust brake is on all the time except for slow driving. It will help. The problem comes from light application as when most of the braking comes from the exhaust brake and you just use the service brakes for that last little stopping force. I think as long as you are aware of the issue and use your service brakes occasionally for the main stopping force like at an off ramp or slowing on a hill it should prevent the problem. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
f442485 Report post Posted February 6, 2017 Removing the glaze from the front rotors will require servicing both sides (in-board and out-board sides). Best to use a cordless drill with a lite sanding disc installed and run on slow speed. All your trying to do is remove the black shiny surface. If there are hot spots on the rotors or drums, you will need to have them replaced. The drums will have to be done by hand. The easiest way to do this is to pay a professional to resurface the rotors and drums. When removing the glaze off the front pads, I always used a flat piece of 1/2 inch glass to make sure to keep the pads flat. The rear shoes need to be done by hand. Something else to keep in mind is, if the friction material has been overheated too many times it won't help. Please keep in mind that this is a safety issue. I retired from the automotive industry 10 years ago, with 53 years of service and performed many brake services on many types of RV's. Feel free to post a response here and I will be more than glad to help as much as possible. I'll leave you my phone number if you send me a Private Message. Rick Ammerman F442485 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johntelling Report post Posted February 6, 2017 Thanks, Rick. I am, going to try the firm braking method first, once the weather here in Sacramento clears up a bit. JT Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johntelling Report post Posted February 23, 2017 Thanks to all who responded about the possible glazed brakes. I tried the 'hard stop method', and the brakes feel a lot better. I am now not using my Pacbrake around town, and am getting more confident with the chassis brakes. JT Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted February 23, 2017 That's great. You can still use your Pacbrake around town just do a couple of solid stops occasionally to keep your brakes in shape. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
