Exhaust Brakes

[archer2500]

I have read a lot of comments about Exhaust brakes on the 03's having troubles where the ignition had to be recycled, the cruise turned on and off, or the braked turned on and off. I am looking at buying either a 03 or an 04... and I plan to have an exhaust brake installed. Have these issues been corrected for the 03's and what specifically is the trouble?

Thanks.

 

[GerryDrake]

No problems on mine

20 months, 20K, lots of towing the 5'er, and zero problems with the exhaust brake. Wouldn't be without it. I haven't read ANY of the problems you mention with the exhaust brake, but then I don't visit the Chibby and Furd boards to read the CTD stories... No, really, haven't heard of those problems...

 

[Fireman]

Issues ??

I've had mine since Dec 2002, no issues here. As far as that goes none of my buddies have had any problems either.



Fireman

 

[Fred Swanson]

Over 45K miles on my Pacbrake. No issues at all.

 

[SRadke]

I've never had nor heard of any Pacbrake problems on the 03's. If there were any I'd expect to see them here on TDR. 2 brakes in 2 years, no problems.



-Scott

 

[smartineau]

I have the Pac-Brake, the customer service has been very good.



But after nine months of trouble free use and extreme happiness, the relay went bad, got a new one and it was never just quite the same, 6-8 months later the the relay was replaced again. Didn't fix the problem so the tests showed that it was the solenoid that went bad. This worked on and off for about 3 weeks when the compressor was filling my 2 1/2 gallon air tank after about 3-8 activations of the exhaust brake. All of this was being done at a shop that Pac-brake sent me to so it was done by people that were suppose to know what they were doing. Pac-Brake paid for everything parts and labor up to the solenoid, which they covered the part and then I got a bill. That instantly turned me into the mechanic, and not a good one at that.



Numerous calls to Pac-Brake and tests on my part, I replaced every air line and fitting, adjusted this that and the other thing, unhooked this and hooked up that, we finally determined that the air compressor itself was bad, they sent me one free even though it was officially out of warranty. It still did not work properly and then we figured out that the piston that moves back and forth was bad. They sent me one of those that I finally put on last Saturday (7 days ago) so far so good.



I have heard of very few problems with any exhaust brake I think I just got the bad one. Scheduling to get into the shop when they were working on it and my time to do things and shipping of parts all totaled my brake was down 6 of the 20 months that I have had it. With the first 9 months being fantastic.



To be fair if scheduling and I had some more free time (we are building a new house) the total down time would have been about 3 months. Their customer service has been very good.

 

[Diesel Nut]

20 months, 63,000 miles, lots of towing, and I use the brake empty. Only problem I had was the V-band clamp from the brake body to the down pipe loosened up and rattled. Fixed that. Don't know of anyone having problems with theirs. They are pretty basic systems with pretty basic parts. Not really alot to go wrong with them. If you buy a truck soon and need a brake PM me. . . . my Jacobs will be for sale as it will not fit my new toy!

No fear, I will be getting one that will. Can't imagine driving without one!

 

[jelag]

Smartineau - the brake circuit is very simple if you continue to have problems give one of my guys a call... ... 800-445-4696 and talk to Mark... he's been doing it for 20 plus years... he can sort it out in 15 min with you on the phone... .



There have been no problems with either the PacBrake or the Jacobs based on Archer2500 comments that I'm aware of. . I follow this board usually every few days... .



If you have concerns pm me and I'll answer any questions you might have...

 

[Doubleclutch]

Jim- have any PXRBs leaked out of the PacBrake warehouse yet? (4" inline)

Greg

 

[jelag]

The bums(they are really great guys to work with) sent me a letter(to all MD's) a while back and told me the 4" and 5" in line were ready for release... so I mentioned it here... I had 8 calls... for the 4" and when I finally gave them a call they said it was going to be a while for machine work etc... I've been promised 2 PRXB's(direct mount) pre production for my personal trucks... for bata tests... . we drive them hard... still haven't seen them... .



The promise as of a couple of days ago was by the end of the month... . don't hold your breath... .



We've seen a lot of activity in the larger Cummins, Cat, etc for the 5" in line where the engine will fit an exhaust brake and not an engine brake... .



Jim

 

[WM-300]

Bought my 03/6speed new and had the Jacobs E brake installed before delivery. I use it all the time. Never had any type of problem or concern. I would never have a truck without one in the future.



Paul

 

[Doubleclutch]

Jim- in other words... SOS- same old thing I was afraid that was the case. Well, I guess WE'LL, just have to wait it out. Any chance you'll make it to May Madness next month? Like to look you up there if you make it. Thanks for you help.

Greg

 

[J&LRam]

Archer2500

45000 mi on my '03 with Jacobs EB and not one single problem. Works great..... JIM

 

[daytripper63]

I will say my Pacbrake is great and their customer svc is excellent, Had minor problem 6 mos out of warranty and no problem they are sending out a new part under warranty. GREAT CUSTOMER SVC

Thank you Pacbrake

 

[archer2500]

Thanks for all the info guys. For the life of me I cannot find the older posts I was referencing when I started this thread. There was a guy who said he was having troubles with his brake when using the cruise control, and there were a few other complaints but generally, just as is the case now, everyone seems quite content with their brakes. I just wanted to hear what a few TDR members had to say. Thanks!

 

[GerryDrake]

I don't recall any such threads, but that certainly doesn't mean they don't exist. On my prior ride, (sorry, but it was a 95 PS auto) the BD exhaust brake I had was set up such that when you turned on the cruise, the EB disconnected. I much prefer it staying engaged as on my 8 year newer CTD 6 speed.

 

[archer2500]

Ok here we go here is atleast ONE thread I had seen before... . just throwing it out to show I am not crazy! I should be ordering my Jacobs sometime this week so I'll let everyone know how it goes.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128794

 

[jelag]

On the Ford PS the cruise control has to turned off... its a computer issue with the truck... . Navstar engine and Ford Electronics...



Our trucks have an engine that was designed for an exhaust brake and functions really well with them... .



I've finally got the new design in stock. . and am going to change out my 3 trucks from the old design to the new one... . (1) 03 - 04 and (2) 04. 5 and 05's. Will let you know how it works. . and for Double Clutch still no 4" in line brakes...



BTW... my 04 now has over 115K miles. . and pulls 80% of the time. . never really ran a full tank full of fuel with it empty... Changing the brake pads for the first time this week... .



Jim