Forklift brakes - it's a wonder I could stop at all!

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Righty Tighty

Righty Tighty

Blame it on the dog
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I've had this old Towmotor for about a year now, and I've been meaning to give it some attention. The only fluid it doesn't leak is coolant (actually, I should check to make sure I HAVE coolant).

Anyway, I knew I was leaking brake fluid from the front right wheel -- I was thinking either wheel cylinder or bad connection at the wheel cylinder. Doing some work yesterday and was backing out of the shop, no brakes......WHOOPEEEEE!!! Rolled down the apron and into the street.

Took the wheel off and it's a lot worse than I thought. broken springs, a bracket that came loose and got smashed somehow, and an 1/8" hole in the boot of the wheel cylinder. Everything in the drum assembly is saturated with brake fluid, including the shoes.

I think the forklift is from the 70s. The rep from Caterpillar said they don't have info on units that old, and that they don't stock parts, either. Hopefully I can find some parts that'll work.

Luckily, the left side is intact, so I can use it as a reference.
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Brakes.... Where we're going we don't need brakes!

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just asking cause I'm not a fork lift guy... could you have dropped the forks and created drag?
 
Dana67Dart said:
could you have dropped the forks and created drag?
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Funny you ask, because the forks were already dropped. I had just dropped my load and backing out, getting ready to raise the forks when it happened.

And no, apparently not enough drag to slow me down! Left a neat little scar on the apron and dug into the gravel.
 
If you can't get wheel cyl perhaps you can retrofit a newer year backing plate and hwd

what is the model number?
 
Dana67Dart said:
If you can't get wheel cyl perhaps you can retrofit a newer year backing plate and hwd
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My thought as well. I'm thinking if I can find something current that will retrofit, that I'll swap both sides so I can avoid this headache in the future.

toplscuda said:
Try these guys.
Forklift Parts & Accessories - Helmar Parts
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Thanks! I'll add them to the rolodex and give them a call. There's a forklift parts place about 2 minutes from my shop, been meaning to stop in and chat with the guy anyway.
 
Thanks! I've had my eye on that service manual for a while, but the frugal guy in me is hesitant to drop that much coin. I should reconsider.

Come to think of it, I might have a parts manual knocking around....too many irons in the fire.
 
Righty Tighty said:
The rep from Caterpillar said they don't have info on units that old, and that they don't stock parts, either.
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looks like a 70s Cat fork lift parts are more rare than 67 Dart convert Parts I feel your pain
 
Righty Tighty said:
Thanks! I've had my eye on that service manual for a while, but the frugal guy in me is hesitant to drop that much coin. I should reconsider.
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the parts book might be a better investment at sub 100. with part numbers comes internet searches! I'm sure there are old fork lift forums
 
I worked for one of Cat's competitors back in the 80's. Brakes were basically considered something to pass the manufacturer's association requirements with. Most operators used the shift lever instead. It was easier and more reliable to reverse direction than put your foot on the other pedal. I think the brakes went bad because they leaked like everything else on the trucks did, soaking the shoes. I remember one story of a service tech being forced by his customer to watch them unload their new Cat truck, having switched because of our unreliable brakes. Sure enough, the brand new Cat rolled off the truck, down the ramp and right through a block wall. Their brakes weren't any better than ours, at least that example!
 
Haha, that's pretty funny. If there was a block wall behind me when they failed, I surely would've gone through it!
Chuter said:
Most operators used the shift lever instead.
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My unit grinds like an SOB if I shift from forward to reverse and I'm not stopped, so maybe that's how it was treated in the past. I've had two forklift guys look at it, because I thought it was either a clutch adjustment or another transmission issue. Both of them said to just live with it and that it's normal for a unit this old.

My local forklift guy pulled up a parts list, so I'll jot down the parts I need and have him order them. I've gotta say, this isn't as easy as an automotive brake job.
 

Thanks! I'll reach out to her. I've been looking for some other parts before the brake problem even happened, so this might help a lot.
 
If the cylinders are not too badly rusted/ pitted in the bores, I would try and find an old school parts outfit and see if you can get cups. The boots don't "look" too special if you find some that size.

Shoes, look for an outfit that can still rivet lining. I've relined some shoes and winch bands, from early 70-s up into the mid 80's. Yeh, I know, that is getting harder to find. Actually if you can find some similar lining, you could hand rivet lining yourself. You basically need a vise, a tool to back the rivet head, and a "setting" tool. You'll need some cheap clamps to hold the lining until you get some rivets in.
 
I stopped in the forklift shop around the corner, and fortunately all of the parts are available. Hopefully not too expensive.
 
Righty Tighty said:
I stopped in the forklift shop around the corner, and fortunately all of the parts are available. Hopefully not too expensive.
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those are generally supported for many years. Did the rep try and sell you a new forklift? We have some old cats at the plant and can still get parts especially general maintenance items like brakes. Glad you found a supplier as always keep up the good work over there. M & H equipment is our supplier.
 
This shop is a standalone business, he supplies parts for all makes and doesn't service or sell forklifts. Months ago, I contacted Cat and that's when the rep told me they didn't support those old models. I said this to Bill, the local guy, and he said that's BS and that she was just being lazy.
 
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