where_the_heffalump_roams 917 AF

[where_the_heffalump_roams]

I could use some guidance here. I want to get the truck up to Canada to be worked on. But that is proving to be difficult when I am limited to 70 kmh and the right rear brake is still heating up. An OEM wedge actuator was replaced last year after the last one failed. A new brake canister was placed on the right rear side yesterday after it failed. I lifted the wheel off the ground today and spun the star adjusters so that the wheel could spin freely by hand. I had turned the star adjusters clockwise and that seemed to "release" the brakes more. But I'm still getting heat in the drum and cruising at slow speeds. I don't hear any loss of air pressure.

Any ideas from the more mechanically experienced?

 

[whomisi]

I don't know the full history, but it is either not enough air to hold the spring "off" on the park brake, a slow leak applying brakes on the service brake side, or something binding up inside the drum.
I would use the test ports schreader valves on the top of the diff to start to try and solve it. There should be one for the service brake release, one for the left brake and one for the right brake. Try and stop somewhere and chock the wheels without applying the park brake, then see what pressure is on each of those valves with a tyre pressure gauge. If there is any pressure on the dragging brake then that would indicate a leaky valve somewhere in the system slowly applying the brakes. But if no pressure in there, then maybe it's some other mechanical issue.
There's also a chance the heat is caused by a failing wheel bearing, but if you can feel the brake dragging when you jack it up then maybe thats not the case.
Good luck!

 

[where_the_heffalump_roams]

Very good thoughts. But I ended up taking the heffalump back to BC and left it with Hans. I've actually wanted to have a MB truck expert go over it since I bought it. But has no luck with any of the US places. I live in, travel, and depend on the heffalump not just for housing. But to be able to get me to work contracts so I've been losing out recently. It was time to fold over to someone more experienced.



Left it at the lot where its size was overshadowed. It took a lot of work to get the heffalump up. Life has been a bit hectic with projects, some educational stuff, and negotiating work contracts. I ended buying a budget 3rd gen 4runner so I could have something to drive around in while we figure this out. This thing stunk pretty bad. A few bottles of febreeze were used while driving it. This morning I did a deeper clean and it's now airing out. The plan is is resell it when I get the truck back.


The heffalump is an ongoing project and sometimes it needs more work that my experiences can provide. Though a LOT has been accomplished these past 2 months, a lot more needs to be performed on the habitat side when it comes back. I also finally found a fabricator that is willing to swap out and improve the rusting frame that holds the generator and holding tanks. I will also want to start tackling and better organizing some of the electrical work when it gets back. 3 years have been spent exploring in it and I really want to get longer travels in it soon.