egh33
Henrietta,Texas
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Joined: 12/19/2003
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I just recently replaced a spring that had broken on the mechanism underneath the M/H. At the time I made sure it was the correct spring as I had to order it from Chev Truck parts. Now the Parking Brake does not seem to hold as well as before. Or maybe I just never noticed it before. Question, should you be able to go forward with the Parking Brake on?? with the parking brake on it will move backward but makes the motor lug down. I spoke with the service dept. at the Chevy garage and was informed that the parking brake was a lock on the transmission and had nothing to do with the brakes themselves.The man said said when I take it out of park the parking brake holds nothing! For some reason I get the feeling the guy knew nothing about Motor Homes. It is a Chev 454 on a P-30 1995. I think the parking brake needs an adjustment. Am I wrong????
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oldusedbear
Brookings, OR, USA
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Joined: 08/12/2003
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The guy that told you there is a transmission lock is incorrect. It is a drum brake on the driveshaft - - right behind the tranny. Adjustment will probably cure your problem just fine.
That auto-park on the P30 is famous for problems so find a competent mechanic unless you want to read up and do it yourself. Sometimes, that is the best option.
The reason for spelling is so that all of the words don't look the same.
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jenks60
MS. coast
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Joined: 10/27/2001
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Do you have the "auto apply park brake"? If so, the park brake is released when you take it out of park, UNLESS you have the foot pedal set on the park brake. If the MH moves when you put it in drive and you have the foot pedal set hard, then the shoes (or maybe a cable) on the park brake need adjusting. My MH does not move at all with the foot pedal applied. That is in gear with gas pedal mashed!
If the park brake fails, your MH may roll, as there probably is no park pawl in the tranny.
jenks, fulltiming with the DW.
92 Southwind P3(32) 33 ft.
99 Saturn SL2
Rallys attended-TX 2, LA 2, MS 1, AL 2
MA. 1 drop in for visit.
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oldusedbear
Brookings, OR, USA
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Joined: 08/12/2003
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I probably should have been more explicit in my first reply. Assuming you have the auto-park system, and everything you say makes it sound that way (I had a 94 P30 and it had auto-park), it works sort of like this:
There is a sizeable drum brake right behind the tranny. The brake is applied one of two ways - - either with the foot pedal, or by a big honking spring (wonder if that is what you replaced?). When the spring expands, it applies the brake. To release the brake, the spring is compressed by a cylinder that gets pressure from the power steering pump. So the "default" position of the spring is expanded, and the brake is on. Many owners have had something go wrong with that cylinder mechanism (lost pressure, bad solenoid, bad microswitch) and have not been able to release the brake - - resulting in a tow-job and repair. Assuming all the components are working tho, and it just isn't enough of a brake to keep the coach from rolling, you are probably in need of a simple adjustment of the brake - - this also assumes that the brake drum and lining are OK.
If you do a search on this subject (if the forum search mechanism is working - - has had problems lately), you will find lots of threads and info on the "auto park" system. My opinion, not very humble, is that it is a very questionable design that has caused a lot of trouble for a lot of people. I suspect the designers were trying to fool the public into thinking they had something with a regular pawl-type tranny lock. That opinion is a little more humble but not much.
There are lots of people on the forum that know a lot more about this system - - hope my info is reasonably correct and useful.
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Larry J
Lecanto,Fl
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Joined: 11/16/2004
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I was reading your response on your Auto Park Problem.You seem to be pretty knowledgable about this situation. I have a 1999 P30 Chevrolet georgetown, Class A. My Auto Park Light is on also. I got under and pulled my inspection plate off side of resevoir and noticed my hydaulic line was leaking.I ordered another line from Chevrolet ,cost 130.00 for a 12" line. My question is if you know, when I pull this line loose, will I have to bleed the system like typical brake system ? If so, where can I find info on how to bleed it?I can pull my emergency brake ( yellow knob ) and it will hold in reverse but not in forward.
I have already replaced the pressure switch 2000 miles ago.I just drove the rig for about 250 miles with the Auto Park Light on . Do you think I should check other things while under there? I am brand new to this site so I would really appreciate any help I can get. Thank you.
Larry Jackson
Larry Jackson
2000 Monaco LaPalma,One Slide, 34'
Lecanto, Florida
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