Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Pacbrake Q & A

[CoastyAV8R]

I installed a Pacbrake exhaust brake on my truck a few weeks ago and I have a couple of questions.



First off, I really don't like the routing of the vacuum hoses from the e-brake to the vacuum manifold as they hang down on top of the valve cover. Is there a better way to route the hoses?



Secondly, what type of maintenance should be done to the Pacbrake? I make sure I use it atleast a few times everytime I drive it and I understand I'm suppose to spray some silicone type lubricant on the linkage of the e-brake itself. I also read that the e-brake may cause the ambient intake temperature probe to carbon up and may need to get yanked out once in a while for cleaning.

Is there anything else I need to be aware of?



Thanks,

Pat

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

Pat,



When I installed mine, I tie-wrapped it up to a wiring loom at the very top of the firewall. There is a big piece of weatherstripping, (I'm guessing that's what it is), and it covers most of the tubing, and the wire-loom. As far as maintenance, I just use mine all the time, and I haven't had any problems, yet. I've had it on for about 6 months.



Jim

 

[Cowboy Medic]

Pac Brake has been on this truck since it was new. Sprayed some high temp silcone lube on it for the first time this fall, it has 88,000 miles on it. My literature states that you should use it every time you drive it and if you live in high humidity areas the lubricating will be needed. I am going to school in Minnesota this year so this is the first year it has been around the high humidity and I had it stick a couple of times, sprayed it and no problems since. As for the AIT sensor, I read on here that carbon would build up on it from using the pac brake, I thought uh-oh better check it. So right around the 80,000 mile mark I did that and it came out very clean. So from my experience I would say having it foul is a possibility but not a gauranteed thing. If your fuel milage starts to drop or some similar item that could be attributed to the AIT I would pull it and check it but otherwise I wouldn't mess with it. Go out and enjoy your pac-brake, for me it is the single best addition to this truck.

 

[csevers]

not a maint. related

Don't use on slippery roads or pea gravel and the like, The first night I installed mine I went out and (tested) it down hill trough 90 degree corner with pee gravel and I was sideways in a heart beat and even down hill on gravel road with empty trailer w/dually slid like hell . You probably new this but I learn the hard way. Pacbrake is a good product, on this truck since march no problems yet I don't expect any either.



Craig

 

[shakey]

Hey guys what kind of noise do you get from the e-brakes? just wondering.

 

[Got Smoke?]

Originally posted by shakey

Hey guys what kind of noise do you get from the e-brakes? just wondering.

Its nothing like the Big Rigs more of a really high pitched whistle than anything else. At least that's what a straightpiped pac brake sounded like to me when Drees1 gave me a ride.



I rode with JWilliams at BMD Dyno Day with his 4"(?) stacks his Jacobs brake sounded really weird (undescribeable). But there was also a 2500 with a straight pipe and a Jacobs brake that was more loud and raspy than just a whistle.

 

[CoastyAV8R]

Thanks all for the tips and past experiences. I haven't used mine yet on a gravel road but I can imagine your rear tires will slide if your on loose/wet or icy tundra. It is definitely the most noticable mod I've done to the truck thus far. I almost caught the whole shootin' match (truck, camp trailer, 2 dirt bikes, dog and wife. Dog and wife were scared ) on fire this last summer going down Monitor Pass in the Sierra's. So now with this rascal I have atleast increased my safety envelope. Oo.



Any more info? Feel free to add on...



Thanks,

Pat

 

[dmurdock]

I've had mine on since new, and haven't done any maintenance. I use it all the time, so I think this helps a lot. Make sure you don't get the air-valve (on the valve cover) and the relay wet. Only problem i ever had was when the relay got wet from me washing the engine (it was fine after it dried out). Other than that just use it and enjoy it.

 

[BigMo]

I just got my Pacbrake this past week and had it put on Saturday. I think I'm really going to like it when I hook up that fiver (12K GVW).



I get a pretty loud "hissss" at idle, but that stops as soon as you touch the throttle pedal. My hearing must be off some though, `cause when I downshift and I'm headed downhill without throttle, my truck gives off a quiet impression of a big rig "Jake" brake . . . must be my imagination



Incidently, I put the toggle switch up in the overhead "console" between the two map lights . . . really convenient to reach, yet out of the way.