PacBrake stuck again! again! again!

[Kalaehina]

Okay, I'm losing patience here, and Pacbrake has not been much help (e-mailed them with no response). It seems the brake has gotten a mind of it's own. Sometimes it works fine, other tiems it doesn't come on at all, other times it's on, flickers off, then on again. I've cleaned the vacuum switch, and adjusted the pedal switch, tested it, again and again and again. It works fine when I cehck it in my garage, then out on the road, it just doesn't want to cooperate! Also, it seems if I don't click it on and off a few times in the morning going down my driveway, then the first or second time I use it on the road it gets stuck on!!?!? Thento "unstuck" it I have to get off the accelerator, if you stay on it, it takes longer to release. Any other suggestions? Other then change brakes, sorry I know this has been posted many times before but it's really annoying now. Thanks

 

[Blu-meanie]

Mine has stuck on a couple of times. I lubed the brake where it said to on the paperwork and their website. It's not very fun when it sticks on the freeway. The lube seems to have helped although I still worry sometimes in freeway traffic when I have to slow down.

 

[Got Smoke?]

I know it would be expensive, somewhat since your in Hawaii but call Pac Brake. I had a Pac for a very short time and I had really good help/customer service over the phone and I didn't even buy my brake brand new!

 

[Joe G.]

I have seen one case of a sticking Pac Brake where the rod operating the butterfly was a tiny bit too long so it went over center. The adjustment is kind of a turnbuckle kind of thing. Try marking where it is so in case this is not it you can put it back. Then try adjusting the rod.

 

[JohnE]

Have you checked the pivot points on the actuator? Got some direct mounts on HX-40s that failed at the actuators.

 

[Kalaehina]

I still have to check the actual brake for "stickiness". Hopefully that's it, but I guess I will have to give Pacbrake a call. We'll see what happens, it was doing it again today, really gets annoying when you release the accelerator and expect the truck to slow down, but nothing happens, throws you off sometimes.

 

[mediccummin]

I to am having problems with mine sticking. My brake gets stuck and wont turn off at all now. I have to pull over and wait. Even when I turn it off it is still on. I did all the required maint. and no help. Mine makes a big chirp noise when it finally opens. Going to call and see if I can get some help. Any more suggestions.

 

[GSchroeder]

I have had several with that problem and it turned out to be a worn vacuum cylinder. You end up with vacuum on both sides of the piston and it sticks on or off. Costs a little over $100 for a new one. Good luck.



Gordon

 

[Kalaehina]

Oh no, I don't like the sound of that.

 

[bighammer]

The valve on mine is messed up. (It stuck a couple times, but there was no binding of the linkage) I need to figure out how to fix the old one, or where to get a new one

 

[Joe G.]

bighammer,



Take the valve off the truck so you won't loose any parts. Take it apart and clean the little parts. One of the parts is a piston that looks kind of like a bowling pin. This is what is probably sticking. It doesn't take much crud to cause it to stick.

 

[moparguy]

Guess I've been lucky, 100k and no real problems. I did go to the in cab, pedal actuated micro switch. It stays in adjustment, unlike the underhood stock switch.



Good luck, RJR



Dang, just realized I've likely caused problems by bragging on my Pac Brake.

 

[P Madrid]

Ck to see if the unit moves freely with the actuator disconnected, could have rust or carbon/sooth build up. If that checks out, do as Joe G. said, clean or replace the spool valve. I have a large collection of used stuck spool valves from Pac Brake systems. Carbon builds up around the piston causing the valve to stick in the open or close position.



Pablo

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Originally posted by Kalaehina

Okay, I'm losing patience here, and Pacbrake has not been much help (e-mailed them with no response). It seems the brake has gotten a mind of it's own. Sometimes it works fine, other tiems it doesn't come on at all, other times it's on, flickers off, then on again. I've cleaned the vacuum switch, and adjusted the pedal switch, tested it, again and again and again. It works fine when I cehck it in my garage, then out on the road, it just doesn't want to cooperate! Also, it seems if I don't click it on and off a few times in the morning going down my driveway, then the first or second time I use it on the road it gets stuck on!!?!? Thento "unstuck" it I have to get off the accelerator, if you stay on it, it takes longer to release. Any other suggestions? Other then change brakes, sorry I know this has been posted many times before but it's really annoying now. Thanks

My brake was doing the same thing. On the bottom of the air compressor there is a little brass filter. Take it off and clean it with carb cleaner. That was all it took for mine. It think it is located on the solenoid valve.

 

[Kalaehina]

My brake seems to have like a slow reaction deal? Kinda like I know it's going to come on, but takes a second longer then before??

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Check out what I say. It is what worked for me. Only takes about 5 minutes.

Greg

 

[J.V.]

Pac Bake

I had problems with my PacBrake also. Fixed it by getting my money back and installing the BD brake.



The BD works better with my heavy 5th wheel rv and no mechanical problems. Almost full braking at 1600 rpm, whereas the Pac had to reach 2600 RPM before it really gave good braking.

 

[Kalaehina]

Greg, you say to check the air compressor? I don't think I have one, only the vacuum switch, and the actual brake. I think the newer brakes and the inline ones have air compressors, or did you mean another part?

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Originally posted by Kalaehina

Greg, you say to check the air compressor? I don't think I have one, only the vacuum switch, and the actual brake. I think the newer brakes and the inline ones have air compressors, or did you mean another part?

I have a compressor. Must be different on the 03's sorry.

 

[mediccummin]

Continued from earlier post, I talked to pac brake and they said it could be my butterfly valve warped and is striking the inside of the elbow which is causing it to stick. They told me to take if off, if that is the problem, contact them and they will send me a new brake. Sounds simple enough, lets see what happens, will update.