Why pre checks can save your life.

[mahdey]

So my M35A2 has been parked since August. I decided, i should drive this thing today and let the fluids circulate some. I check tire pressures, ~42-45 psi, ok, I can let that go. Raise the hood, check coolant, oil, make sure no critters made a nest out of the air filter and all was good. Checked my lights, all operable. So I start her up. Not even a rev. of the starter and it fires right up. Not bad being it's been parked since august and it was 20 degrees out. I let it high idle and once it warmed up. I turned the heater on, slapped in some ear plugs and went to take off. I get down the driveway and press the brake pedal. Straight to the floor. Grab the PARK brake and hop to a stop. Thank God this was in my driveway doing 10mph and not on a street. Usually I don't need to even touch the brakes until I am on the main road, but I realized as I was starting down the drive I forgot to press the brake pedal to make sure it had resistance.

Lesson learned, pre checks can save your life...or a sheet ton of $$ in property damage.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Good advice. Especially important in a deuce. Many suffer from the dissapearing BFS syndrome.

 

[Dipstick]

I've experienced disappearing brake fluid syndrome myself. In my case it was caused by two leaking rear brake cylinders. I always check brakes before I hit the road.

 

[frank8003]

so does it look like this?

 

[tuff-truck-guy]

wow glad u found out before that first stop light or sign with the church van full of kids in front of you!!! Thanks 4 the reminder!!

 

[mahdey]

so does it look like this? View attachment 479603

Not sure. Have to get back to Ft. Knox tonight so I will take a look at it when it's warmer. I'm trying to pick up a 5 ton soon. I love air brakes sooooo much more than the death trap single circuit set up.

 

[welldigger]

That is exactly why I installed one of these.

 

[dmetalmiki]

Hmm..Big Trucks Big responabilities. glad your safe.

 

[camoyj7]

I agree with Welldigger. Being able to check brake fluid lever every time before you drive is priceless. I mounted mine under the trap door on the floor.

 

[welldigger]

I mounted mine on the firewall just so I wouldn't have to mess with that stupid trap door. I can even pressure bleed my brakes from the side panel. That valve in the picture is above a tee that I can hook my pressure bleeder to. I don't have to get under the truck except to bleed the air pack.

Regardless of where you mount it, a remote reservoir is an excellent idea on single circuit brakes. Mostly so the fluid level is easy to check. That way you will actually remember to check it.

 

[Corvette1974]

I had a similar disappearing BFS happen to me in a '47 Dodge 1.5 ton. Backed out of the barn, no brakes. I grabbed the parking brake and luckily it works really well. Drove right into the shop and filled MC. Never happened since, still check the MC every time now!

Will