Clipper Blues

[AC4BONNIE]

Hi everyone,
I have had my clipper almost a year now and have not taken a trip yet.  Yes I know too sad.  I really would like to go somewhere with my sister and brother in law (hint hint) but I am afraid I might breakdown.  I have read all these posting and everyone seems to be able to fix this and that themselves and I am not savy on the mechanical working of the Clipper.  Have I made a mistake buying this?  I hope not, but I don't see how I can fix anything that goes wrong.  You all seem to have so much knowledge and experience in mechanics.  How much is it to have the breaks fixed?  My brake petal goes to the floor even with adding brake fluid.  I have no clue.

[LARRY RAY]

Bonnie:
   First off just adding break fluid might not be the whole problem. What I would do before looking to change all the pads and or break shoes is to pump the brak pedal slowly and see if the fluid level goes down. If not you probably have air in the lines. Someone you know can help with that I'm sure. After doing the pump pedal thing a few times let it sit for a hour or so and then do it again. This will let any air that might be in the lines closet to master cylinder to work it's way out. Also after doing this be sure and look at each whell carefully on the underside of clipper and check for any leaks. If it's leaking bad enought for the pedal to go to the flaoor you will definately see it.  Good luck and don't worry so much. Just have fun and expect to spend a few dollars from time to time. MY BABY IS WORTH ALL THE TIME AND CARE I CAN GIVE>

[Andy Illes]

Hi Bonnie... I sure hope your first trip's a great, fun experience.

Although LarryRay's suggestion is a good one, it takes a LOTTA fluid leaking out to let your pedal go all the way down... in fact, nearly all of it.  If there's still fluid in the master cylinder, top it off and try his suggestion and bleed the brakes, see what happens.  It's the rusty, sortta rectangular, cast iron jobbie under the hood, at the top center right under the windshield cowling, with a spring-clipped lid on it... that's where you check the brake fluid.  While you're at bleeding the brakes, you might as well just flush all the old fluid out, I'm sure it needs it.

However, if the pedal still goes down (I suspect it will)... it's a bad master cylinder.  Rebuilt ones (which are fine) run about $30-$60 at any parts store, and take an hour or less to change out.

The reaso a few of us CAN do so much on our Clips is that they're "old tech" and consequently, easy to work on without hi-tech test equipment or training.... they're perfect "shade tree mechanic" projects.

Good luck, and let us know what it turns out to be. k?

[AC4BONNIE]

Thanks for the info guys.  My brother-in-law and sister told me you all were a bunch of great people here. I didn't doubt them but you sure come thru and offer support.  
I will keep you all posted.
Thanks

[Andy Illes]

One other thing I forgot to mention yesterday Bonnie.  If you just have air in the brake lines, you'll have a soft, "spongy" feeling pedal and unless a LOT of fluid's gone, you'll still be able to feel at least some braking.  A bad master, on the other hand, will just let the pedal go right down and you'll feel little or no resistance in the pedal, with no braking at all.

The reason is that air in the lines compresses as the pedal is depressed (fluid doesn't compress), it'll eventually compress enough give at least some braking.  A master cylinder, on the other hand, is basically a piston with rubber "cups" which the brake pedal pushes to force fluid through the lines to the brakes.   Those rubber cups wear and allow the fluid to leak around 'em when the pedal is applied, so no brakes at all.

Contra, if it takes 3 legs to stop the thing... it's the power part.. usually a leaky vacuum hose to that big round gizzmo between where the brake linkage comes through the firewall and the master cylinder.

Again.... good luck.

[Rodney]

Hi everyone,
I have had my clipper almost a year now and have not taken a trip yet.  Yes I know too sad.  I really would like to go somewhere with my sister and brother in law (hint hint) but I am afraid I might breakdown.  I have read all these posting and everyone seems to be able to fix this and that themselves and I am not savy on the mechanical working of the Clipper.  Have I made a mistake buying this?  I hope not, but I don't see how I can fix anything that goes wrong.  You all seem to have so much knowledge and experience in mechanics.  How much is it to have the breaks fixed?  My brake petal goes to the floor even with adding brake fluid.  I have no clue.

Greetings AC4BONNIE,
just curious what year, model and size engine you have in your Clippper?
IMHO if you or no one close by has any mechanical experence that can help you with your  brakes PLEASE find a good brake shop and have a brake inspection done. Folllow the other guys recomendations for sure and and if you can get the brakes to come up and you are confident enough to drive the 8000 lb coach to the shop for that inspection have a professional give you there opnion and get quote on repairs. Brakes are nothing to second guess on a vehicle this large and heavy. Play it safe and enjoy your time with your home.  :wink:
let us know how it goes for you
Rodney