1) Uneven brakes 2) alternator belt brakes.

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Steve Button - 18 Apr 2005 11:03 GMT

Hi,

1) I am in the United Kingdom and my Winnebego Chieftain (1984) has
just failed it's MOT with uneven brakes. My mechanic has suggested
that the flexible brake hose might need to be replaced, as it might be
corroded inside and is acting as a one way valve.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what this might be, and also
where I can get a replacement hose from?

The brakes are working fine... except when you brake lightly the
vehicle pulls to the left. As soon as you brake hard, it's fine. It's
the RHS front brakes which are the problem.

2) my alternator belt keeps braking every couple of hundred miles. Any
ideas?

Thanks,

Steve Button

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birch999@hotmail.com - 18 Apr 2005 13:37 GMT

>On 18 Apr 2005 (Steve Button) wrote:
>1) I am in the United Kingdom and my Winnebego Chieftain (1984) has
>just failed it's MOT with uneven brakes. My mechanic has suggested
>that the flexible brake hose might need to be replaced, as it might be
>corroded inside and is acting as a one way valve.

Your mechanic's hypothesis sounds a bit far-fetched. Nothwithstanding,
that if your flex-hoses are 20 years old, it might be a good idea to
replace them anyway; and perhaps the steel lines as well.

Uneven braking with light application is more likely to be associated
with a stiff partially seized caliper on one side; or possible just a
difference in the surface rust buildup on the respective rotors during
storage.

>Does anyone have any suggestions as to what this might be, and also
>where I can get a replacement hose from?

These hoses tend to be somewhat generic in nature.

>2) my alternator belt keeps braking every couple of hundred miles. Any
>ideas?

Insufficient belt tension will cause the belt to slip and overheat,
leading to early failure. And if your rig has an air-pump, these are
prone to seizing up on some models.

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Jon Griffin - 18 Apr 2005 15:48 GMT

>The brakes are working fine... except when you brake lightly the
>vehicle pulls to the left. As soon as you brake hard, it's fine. It's
>the RHS front brakes which are the problem.

I would look at the left side caliper. If it is sticky, a slight
pressure might activate the right caliper only thus causing the rig to
pull to the right. When you increase the pressure the left side
finally moves and the pull to the right goes away.

>2) my alternator belt keeps braking every couple of hundred miles. Any
>ideas?

Pulleys not aligned. Too tight. Too lose.

Jon

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Jon Griffin
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Steve Button - 19 Apr 2005 12:22 GMT

> I would look at the left side caliper. If it is sticky, a slight
> pressure might activate the right caliper only thus causing the rig to
> pull to the right. When you increase the pressure the left side
> finally moves and the pull to the right goes away.

Hi Jon,

It's pulling to the left, so we suspect it's the right hand side, but
I take your point. The calipers have been taken off and greased and
move fine. However, when the calipers are squeezed with a pair of
grips they will not move... unless the bleed valve is opened and then
they move fine. (apologies if I've got this wrong, but I'm just
passing on what my mechanic has said!) He suspects that the hose has
broken down inside and is not allowing the fluid to flow through.

Steve

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Ken Harrison - 18 Apr 2005 20:06 GMT

> 2) my alternator belt keeps braking every couple of hundred miles. Any
> ideas?

I'd try releasing the brake.

KH

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