4 PacBrakes Defective. Need Advice!

[Millfly]

Hello guys,

I have had a real problem with my PacBrake since it was installed. The brake works for about 6 months and then begins sticking shut. I have to turn off the engine and restart it for the brake to open. The first unit was completely replaced. That lasted 6 months and began sticking. The cylinder of the brake was replaced due to defective seals. This cylinder lasted 3 months and the cylinder also failed on it. Now 9 months later the brake is sticking shut again.

The PacBrake people have been great about replacing the damaged parts but I cannot deal with this problem continuing.

I have Bosch Injectors, BD Module, and Boost Module on the engine as well as transmission modifications. I don't believe these are causing the problem.

Have any of you had a similar problem with the PacBrake? I am considering purchasing a Banks Brake. Would appreciate any help you can give me.

 

[rrausch]

Gee weird!



I've run a PacBrake for 70,000+ miles and it only stuck once, when the actuator solenoid thingy (or whatever it's called--sits on top of the engine) got a little plugged up. I just removed it and cleaned it up and stuck it back on.

 

[willyslover]

I had a 3" one on my old rig for 50k or so and Zero problems. . not one

sold it to a fellow TDR member and he has been using it for a year and a half plus with no problems to my knowledge.

 

[MCrossley]

I have had mine since about 15k on the truck and now with over 100k I have not ever had a single issue with mine (knock on wood) It has worked every time I throw the switch, now I did have a vacume leak once that made me think something was wrong but then none of my vacume actuated stuff would work turned out to be a loose tube 5 minute fix.

 

[rubberneck]

Millfly, how often do you use the brake?? They claim if you do not use it enough then they will have a tendancy to stick due to the build up of soot/residue. Im not much help for your problem other than i have a BD remote mount which i use daily and haven't had a single problem with. My dad has had a pacbrake which is also used daily for the past 100k and no problems either.

 

[Millfly]

Thanks for the input guys. I try to use the brake just about every time I take the truck out. I will check the hoses today and also manually try to open and shut the butterfly to check for sticking due to soot. Will also put wife in truck and watch for the hoses to "jump" as she works the solenoid. Hope this is just a "fluke".

 

[TPCDrafting]

Mine was sticking last winter, I've had it on since last summer. It would stick on but once I started pushing on the go pedal it would get forced off. PacBrake folks told me to get some high temp lube and coat the shaft going thru the exhuast elbow. I couldn't find any high temp lube quickly so I bought a can of white litheum greese. Sprayed it good and it lasted about a month, sprayed it again and it's been good for about 5 months and I don't see it sticking any time soon. You might also try cleaning the actuator mounted on top of your intake.

 

[Millfly]

TPCdrafting - Just started the engine on this cool morning and was surprised the brake was working fine in the driveway when it was idling. Sprayed the butterfly shaft with high temperature "Super Lube" that at bought at Lowe's. Will see how it behaves this morning when I go on the road. Could be some soot got up around the shaft a caused it to bind. We'll see. Thanks for the input.

 

[Millfly]

Had the truck out on the road for about 30 miles with no problems. Guess the shaft just needed lubrication. Thanks guys.

 

[Millfly]

Had the truck out on the road for about 30 miles with no problems. Guess the shaft just needed lubrication. Thanks guys.

 

[FDziurda]

PacBrake

A while back, my PacBrake began sticking, but I knew it was attributed to me not using it enough. I removed the pin that holds the piston ram to the butterfly and squirted some penetrating oil on the butterfly pivots, and worked it back and forth, until it was nice and free. The butterfly should move from fully open, thru fully closed and beyond to the fully open position. Don't force anything, just work it back and forth. If the butterfly moves freely from stop to stop, then that's probably not your problem. To get some penetrating oil on the inside pivot, you have to remove one of the plugs normally used for the pyrometer probe, or remove the probe if you have one, and squirt thru the hole.



I was told the way to check the vacuum cylinder is to leave the 2 hoses connected and try to move the ram piston back and forth. If it moves freely, then chances are the seals are bad in the cylinder.



I lubricate the pivot points with "Superlube", which comes in a spray can and can be purchased at Lowes. The stuff is rated to 450 degs and recommended by PacBrake. PacBrake has recommend lube procedures on their web site.



Good Luck,



Frank Dz