outwestbound
Member
Guys. I'm down to the final lap on fixing up my 2006 Sprinter 3500 (Itasca Navion 23J motorhome) to take to South America. I have the steel, 16" wheels with dual rears.
I'm taking it in to look at rotors, calipers and pads. The use in South America is extreme, due to extremely mountainous climbs and especially deserts. A buddy of mine in a with a vehicle exactly like mine said he may have ruined his brakes yesterday, descening 10,000 over about 10 miles in Guatemala. He said his IR gun measured 750 degree F and that he boiled his fluid.
Anyhow, I want to do a scope of work and select the best products, and will likely be replacing some parts that are maybe 60% work out, just to be sure I'm good for this trip.
I'm planning to get parts from Europarts San Diego; rotors and calipers if needed. I'll check the hoses also. But, what are the best pads to get: semi-metallic or ceramic? As a rule, I won't be in cold weather that much. I'm mostly concerned about the long, grinding down hill descents and over heating.
Also, does the T1N have serviceable wheel bearings?
I'm having the steering assembly and drive train looked over carefully, while on jacks, the engine mounts, exhaust mounts, etc. I've serviced the diffy, replaced struts, shocks and other items.
So, mostly looking at semi-metallic vs. ceramic pads, and what else to look at while the wheels are off, like whether there are bearings to service. The cost difference isnt' important to me; just want whichever is best. My Sprinter is loaded to GVWR at 10,200, so it's hauling a load.
Thoughts?
Thanks so much!
I'm taking it in to look at rotors, calipers and pads. The use in South America is extreme, due to extremely mountainous climbs and especially deserts. A buddy of mine in a with a vehicle exactly like mine said he may have ruined his brakes yesterday, descening 10,000 over about 10 miles in Guatemala. He said his IR gun measured 750 degree F and that he boiled his fluid.
Anyhow, I want to do a scope of work and select the best products, and will likely be replacing some parts that are maybe 60% work out, just to be sure I'm good for this trip.
I'm planning to get parts from Europarts San Diego; rotors and calipers if needed. I'll check the hoses also. But, what are the best pads to get: semi-metallic or ceramic? As a rule, I won't be in cold weather that much. I'm mostly concerned about the long, grinding down hill descents and over heating.
Also, does the T1N have serviceable wheel bearings?
I'm having the steering assembly and drive train looked over carefully, while on jacks, the engine mounts, exhaust mounts, etc. I've serviced the diffy, replaced struts, shocks and other items.
So, mostly looking at semi-metallic vs. ceramic pads, and what else to look at while the wheels are off, like whether there are bearings to service. The cost difference isnt' important to me; just want whichever is best. My Sprinter is loaded to GVWR at 10,200, so it's hauling a load.
Thoughts?
Thanks so much!