Cat Lift Trucks (& Caterpillar) VC60D:
No brakes, PLEASE HELP

What a pain in the rear this truck has been. Original complaint: Stand on the brakes with little to no stopping power. I performed complete brake overhaul. New master cylinder, wheel cylinders, shoes, seals, turned drums. Brakes were a little better after but still having to stand on the pedal. If carrying a load (4000lbs) no brakes at all. I originally put brake fluid in the master cylinder and bled the brakes. Then I found that somehow the hydraulic tank supplies hydraulic fluid to the master cylinder?? I am not familiar with this set up so I am looking for some help here. I pulled the hose that supplies hyd fluid to the master cylinder. While running, I just get a trickle of hyd fluid coming out. Should there be more pressure? Could there be a problem with the inching valve/master cylinder? Will it hurt to have hydraulic fluid pushing against the brake fluid? Any help is greatly appreciated.
  • Posted 21 May 2015 05:30
  • Modified 22 May 2015 09:05 by poster
  • Discussion started by LTS1
  • Florida, United States
Showing items 1 - 7 of 7 results.
William, what problem is your lift having? If it is like my issue, there was just not enough brake shoe making contact with the brake drum. Almost felt like a bad brake booster, but this truck doesn't have a booster. Stand on the brakes, felt like not enough friction. Only the middle of the shoe is contacting drum. When I pulled my drums, I found that half of the shoes were glazed. This was from me getting it so hot, thinking I just needed to seat the shoes, as per Caterpillar. Then I realized the drums had been turned too many times. The ID of the drum is too big. I quoted my customer for drum replacement, but after 1000 dollar brake job and still no brakes the customer is pretty upset. The drums are super expensive. Turned the brake job into well over 2000. Not to mention all of the labor I have had to eat. If the customer approves the quote, which I am doubtful, Ill come back and let everyone know my results.

William, if you would like the parts break downs I have, reply with your email.
  • Posted 28 May 2015 23:36
  • Modified 28 May 2015 23:38 by poster
  • Reply by LTS1
  • Florida, United States
BTW, I did the same test on the hyd. fluid, and I had a steady stream of fluid, that filled a gallon jug up in less than a minute.

Depressing the brake pedal, while doing the test, didn't make any difference in the flow of hyd. fluid.

I had to also adjust the master cylinder stroke to get a return flow of fluid.

Hope this helps you.

William
  • Posted 28 May 2015 21:26
  • Reply by whromans
  • Virginia, United States
I feel for you Bro.
I have the same problem with my forklift.
Mine is a V50E, with the same brake system.
I went completely through everything on the brake system, Too.
Beginning to think it is the master cylinder, because of the probability that the off shift did put brake fluid in it.
Would like the info you have from cat, or a link to it, if you can.
I will keep you posted as to any info, or remedy that I find out.
Thank you for responding, and I will help you all I can.
Again, Thank you. I appreciate you help.
William
  • Posted 28 May 2015 21:18
  • Reply by whromans
  • Virginia, United States
I have parts break downs and technical advice from Caterpillar.
  • Posted 28 May 2015 10:25
  • Reply by LTS1
  • Florida, United States
Did you get any information concerning this brake problem?
  • Posted 28 May 2015 00:53
  • Reply by whromans
  • Virginia, United States
Well I realize this is a pretty stupid mistake. The brake fluid did ruin the master cylinder. In my defense the new master cylinder had a DOT3 fluid only tag on it. Evidently this truck has 2 options for master cylinder. One uses a reservoir and brake fluid. The other (my application) uses a hose from the hydraulic tank to keep the master cylinder full. I also found that only half of the shoes, the middle of the shoe is making contact with the drums. The drums are out of tolerance. Quoted customer for new drums. I appreciate the input mr fixit.
  • Posted 25 May 2015 10:03
  • Reply by LTS1
  • Florida, United States
You can't put brake fluid in a system that is designed for hydraulic oil. The seals in the master cylinder and wheel cylinders are make of different materials and probably will be ruined if the wrong fluid is used.
  • Posted 21 May 2015 22:05
  • Reply by mrfixit
  • New York, United States

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