Pacbrake Problem

[maxburk]

I have a 2001 3500 HO that I installed a PacBrake on when it was new. I currently have 114K and it looks like the cylinder has died on the PacBrake. Has anyone experienced problems with their cylinder going bad, and if so at what mileage did they fail?

 

[maxburk]

I talked with PacBrake technical support today and my cylinder is definitely bad. To test the cylinder I removed both vacuum lines from the solenoid. If you block either line and can pull or push the cylinder shaft either up or down the cylinder is defective. I did not think the parts were too bad. For a new cylinder and the brass breather the bill was $167. 42. Much better than trying to pull without one. The tech says I can change the cylinder without dropping the exhaust.

 

[Driftwood Ram]

Mine went bad also, don't remember the mileage. I took the brake off to replace the cylinder because it just looked like an easier way to do it.

 

[maxburk]

I just received my cylinder yesterday and will probably install it tomorrow. I think I will try it in the truck first. If too difficult I will drop the exhaust

 

[Black Ram Alpha]

I'm not overly impressed with PAC BRAKE . The braking is nothing to rave about. My pac brake electric compressor died after a year and I couldn't get Pac Brake to even call me back or return a e-mail. So believe it or not I used a Harbor Freight compressor set up that works as well as the one that failed , for a fraction of what they wanted (on their site ) . Plus it has a quick disconnect and tire air up hose & gage which Ive used to air up tires .

 

[maxburk]

That is interesting. I have had two PacBrakes with pretty good success. The first had a bad switch on installation and they sent me one immediately. This problem arose after 114K. I am still on the original brakes and will get at least another 25K on the fronts. I have spent both time on the phone and Email with PacBrake to resolve this cylinder problem.

I checked to see if I can remove the cylinder without dropping the exhaust. Not going to happen. Not a big deal. Just thought it might be faster not dropping the exhaust.

 

[maxburk]

Black Ram Alpha



I talked again with PacBrake tech support. I mentioned that you were not happy due to lack of response. T J Coulter was the gentleman I talked with. He said if you still need help he would be happy to discuss any problem with you. He can be reached at 1-800-663-0096. Just ask for TJ Coulter. Yes, I did confirm with him that I could put his name and number here.

 

[teamfish]

TJ's a nice I guy met him at the sportsman show in Portland, told me to call anytime I needed somethig. I love my Pacbrake, never drive without it.

 

[Kalaehina]

Was your bad cylinder problem like an intermitent one or did the brake just not work at all? I installed a brand new vacuum solenoid and the brake still seems to be not working right, doesn't come on when I want it to.

 

[maxburk]

My problem was solid. I am pretty sure your problem is in the electrical solenoid that activates the vacuum. It needs a good cleaning. You are welcome to contact me at home and I can step you thru the process. I am sure your air solenoid is OK.

Call me at 970-586-9191 and I will help if possible.

 

[Kalaehina]

Thanks for the offer, I have cleaned my solenoid, like about 10 times since I've had the brake, but lately it just seems to be getting worse. I have the new solenoid in there now and it's seems to be worse then the old one so I'm swapping the old one back in today.

 

[Driftwood Ram]

My problem started out as intermittent, but gradually got worse. I thought it was the solenoid, but was the cylinder. Call Pac-Brake and talk to them. I found customer support to be very helpful.

 

[Kalaehina]

Things are really getting weird with my brake-Problem was intermitent, brake comes on sometimes, won't other times, used to get stuck in closed position, didn't for while now, then yesterday, kinda starts to work almost normal, on command, then I installed a new vacuum solenoid, brake won't work for 30 miles, then starts to work once then not, then again, then not again, SO, in goes the old solenoid, that was working 24 hours ago, now brake won't work, then kinda works for little while, then nothing. I could hear the brake close slowly twice, then the rest of the time I never know when it will work. Anyone know about removing the spring from the solenoid? I read some people did this, but doesn't that take away the ability for the solenoid to go to default open position?

 

[isb360]

Kalaehina-

My buddy is a truck driver and his boss bought about 50 new Kenworths all with the 8. 3l isc Cummins and a Pacbrake exhaust brake. He tells me that every single one of the Pacs either are or have had the exact problems you are having. His will work, then not, then work again. The dealership that sold the trucks said that they all do this and no one knows how to fix it permanently. Gotta love it! On the other hand, he has a Jacobs in his personal truck 2001 3500 and it's been working perfectly for six years now.

 

[Pacbrake]

ISB360 you were spewing this in another post and have yet to tell me who this customer is with all the problems. Again if this is true have your Buddies boss contact me a 1-800-663-0096. We look after each and every one of our customers and if they have a problem we want to know about it and make it better.



Harold

 

[Pacbrake]

Don't remove the spring in the solenoid, Check your Vacuum cylinder for bypassing. Pull the two vac lines off the cyl and disconnect the cyl arm from the butterfly. Pull the cyl rod out by hand, while plugging one of the vac ports with your thumb, then try again with the other port plugged. You should not be able to move the vac cyl in or out with the ports plugged.



If the cyl is ok, connect the two throttle switch wires together, go for a road test using the dash switch to turn the brake on and off, if the brake works fine the throttle switch is inop or our of adjustment

 

[Kalaehina]

I figured out what was going on, it was my main switch to turn everything on, I use Bob V. s super shifter and the plunger switch was bad, I tested the vacuum switch and was getting a low voltage reading and that's how I solved it, brake works great now ever since!

 

[Pacbrake]

Glad to hear you got it handled. If you ever have any questions drop me a line.



Harold