Disc brake parts, pads and calipers

[Excella CM]

I can post the information for OEM and suppliers for the vacuum over hydralic brake calipers used in the late seventies. I had to track it all down to rebuild a couple of mine and was pleasantly surprised to find the original equipment supplier still alive and well and all the little bits and pieces available. Is there any need to do this?

[rtaylor537]

Yes, please post the information. I am considering putting disc brakes on my 2002 model; I would like to replace the drum/electric brakes that came with the rig.
What is your thinking?

[JimGolden]

Yes, by all means, please do.

My '77 has the disk brakes made by Ausco. I was under the impression that replacement parts were so expensive as to be prohibitive. I was looking at switching to Kodiaks.

Thanks for the info!

[axleman]

I too - would be curious of your findings!

Regards,
Henry

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by JimGolden

Yes, by all means, please do.

My '77 has the disk brakes made by Ausco. I was under the impression that replacement parts were so expensive as to be prohibitive. I was looking at switching to Kodiaks.

Thanks for the info!

We have replacement parts for the original disc brake system used by Airstream many years ago.

The sync valves are rebuilt for you. New sync valves are no longer available.
We have all the repair parts for that valve. After it's rebuilt, it must be put on a test bench, to assure it's proper performance.

The only expensive part is the pistons.

The rest are comparable to newer systems.

Andy

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

We have replacement parts for the original disc brake system used by Airstream many years ago.

The sync valves are rebuilt for you. New sync valves are no longer available.
We have all the repair parts for that valve. After it's rebuilt, it must be put on a test bench, to assure it's proper performance.

The only expensive part is the pistons.

The rest are comparable to newer systems.

Andy

Andy,

What is a "sync valve"?

Bill

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

Andy,

What is a "sync valve"?

Bill

Synchronizing valve.

It's located at the bottom of the booster assembly.

You can check it quickly as follows.

Have the trailer vacuum supply plugged into the tow vehicle, with the engine running.

Take the top of the plastic cover off.

Put your ear as close to the round intake filter. It's about 4 inches in diameter.

If the sync valve is OK, you will hear nothing.

If the valve is defective, however so slightly, you will hear an air "hissing: sound.

Should your hear that sound, it's telling you that the sync valve is leaking, therefore it will not perform as is should, namely the braking will be weak.

If the sync valve is leaking, you simply remove it, send it to us for overhaul, and perfomance testing.

You can also, completely replace the booster assembly, and install an Actibrake system. Should you wish to do that, you can install the Actibrake under the front lounge, instead of on the A-frame, keeping it out of the weather.

Andy

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Synchronizing valve.

It's located at the bottom of the booster assembly.

You can check it quickly as follows.

Have the trailer vacuum supply plugged into the tow vehicle, with the engine running.

Take the top of the plastic cover off.

Put your ear as close to the round intake filter. It's about 4 inches in diameter.

If the sync valve is OK, you will hear nothing.

If the valve is defective, however so slightly, you will hear an air "hissing: sound.

Should your hear that sound, it's telling you that the sync valve is leaking, therefore it will not perform as is should, namely the braking will be weak.

If the sync valve is leaking, you simply remove it, send it to us for overhaul, and perfomance testing.

You can also, completely replace the booster assembly, and install an Actibrake system. Should you wish to do that, you can install the Actibrake under the front lounge, instead of on the A-frame, keeping it out of the weather.

Andy

Andy,

Thanks,

Bill

[axleman]

Andy,

How does the older disc system compare to the Kodiak system - I know you sell both?

Please inform,
Henry

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by axleman

Andy,

How does the older disc system compare to the Kodiak system - I know you sell both?

Please inform,
Henry

We DO NOT SELL BOTH.

Some parts only, for the old system.

Andy

[axleman]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

We have replacement parts for the original disc brake system used by Airstream many years ago.
Andy

Andy,

Sorry - I misunderstood this statement!

Cheers,
Henry

[Excella CM]

Here's the info on older Ausco calipers used on the late '70s. I bought parts through a jobber-Berenson Fluid Power. Ausco can give you jobbers.

[axleman]

Excella CM,

Thanks for sharing - that's good information.

Regards,
Henry

[scottanlily]

Hello Excella CM,

I also tow my airstream with a 68 travelall 1100c 4x4 5 speed overdrive.Put up some pics on the vintage tow vehical forum .Id like to see your rig.

Scott of scottanlily

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

We DO NOT SELL BOTH.

Some parts only, for the old system.

Andy

We do sell the Kodiak system and the Actibrake actuator.

Andy

[axleman]

Andy,

I knew that!

I simply thought with all of your years of Airstream experience that you might have seen or repaired enough of the old style disc systems to do a bit of a comparison vs the Kodiak.

Regards,
Henry

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by axleman

Andy,

I knew that!

I simply thought with all of your years of Airstream experience that you might have seen or repaired enough of the old style disc systems to do a bit of a comparison vs the Kodiak.

Regards,
Henry

What basis of comparison do you think should be used, when comparing a product from 30 years ago, to todays standards?

Does the old system work? Yes.

Does the new system work? Yes.

Which one works better? Obviously, the newer system, that Actibrake provides.

The old system, since it was a new venture, performed quite well. With proper PM, many owners are still satisfied with it's performance.

We have the disc brake pads made that exceed the original specs of the Ausco pads, which in turn provide more braking power than the original pads.

Additionally, the original disc brake system that Airstream used, when working correctly, compared to todays electric brake performance, leaves the electric brakes way back in the dust, hands down.

Other systems reportedly have some technical problems.

That's another subject for a different time.

Andy

[axleman]

Andy,

Thanks - that pretty well answers my question. I know the Kodiak product, sold 100's of axles with that brake a week. What I didn't know was how the older Airstream system compared.

Thank-you,
Henry

[Excella CM]

I hate to confound conjecture with data, but I can't stop myself...
Check the brake test PDF on the other thread in this forum:
Hydra Vac or Hydra Electric

[richnritab]

Which brand of caliper is on the 78 excella 500.