I've recently been put in charge of fixing up a 1978 Barth Motorhome in Virginia. I don't know what chassis it is, and we don't have the owners manual anymore for me to figure it out. I have a VIN and date of manufacturing. My original plan was to bleed the brakes since that was the first complaint, but I couldn't even find the brake fluid reservoir. Can anyone help point me in the right direction?

Go to this page, and scroll down to your year. The Data Tag is generally near the driver seat on the wall.

Welcome to the forums!

Posting the VIN is the most important step, as it will reveal many secrets. Most likely it's a GM chassis.

Also look for the "data tag", usually on the outer bulkhead behind the driver's seat. That will reveal even more.

Most likely the master cylinder is mounted behind front drivers wheel well up against the floor board. In bad spot to remove cover and fill with fluid. Is no fun to replace either. If you pull the engine cover it should be visible. I can raise the driver side frame till wheel off the ground the remove a plate to get access to MC. A small funnel with hose to fill from engine cover side. follow hoses from power steering pump to locate MC.

Here's the data tag, I tried to look up the VIN that's on there but came up empty. Thanks for your help.

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chevrolet motor inc.
Probably a p30(32) chassis

Bob

Seems to be GM. The Barth build number is there, indicating a 31'. What's weird is that my Breakaway, 19.5" tires also, with 6K lbs. on front and 10K on rear, specifies 90/100 psi, where this one is 65/65...

Obviously a Class A, and perhaps one of Barth's first of this design and size.

Here is an older master cylinder shot:



This is from my 86:

quote:

Originally posted by mpierce32:
I've recently been put in charge of fixing up a 1978 Barth Motorhome .... My original plan was to bleed the brakes since that was the first complaint, ... Can anyone help point me in the right direction?

Mpierce, Search this website or other websites and you will find the front brake lines need replaced. That is the direction that I suggest you go. If this unit has not been driven, in years you may like to replace the other components and the master cylinder.

Thanks everybody for all the help. It's been driven occasionally but not much. Luckily it doesn't need to be driven far, just around the local area. It's a Fighter Squadron party bus. The brakes are just really soft and go to the floor before they start to catch. I hope I don't have to replace the master cylinder.

Changing the master cylinder is not too much of a hassle, but getting rid of that old rusty brake fluid is really a pain. When I changed mine the front was pretty easy but the back were drum brakes and really a pain to bleed. Good luck!!!

If you pull up the carpet between the seat and the brake pedal you will see an oval access plate with screws. Remove the screws and service the master cylinder from there.

quote:

Originally posted by mpierce32:
Thanks everybody for all the help. It's been driven occasionally but not much. Luckily it doesn't need to be driven far, just around the local area. It's a Fighter Squadron party bus. The brakes are just really soft and go to the floor before they start to catch. I hope I don't have to replace the master cylinder.

Hey mpierce32, Will you please snap a picture of the data tag and post it for us. I do not believe we have a data tag for a Fighter Squadron Party Bus.

What are the batteries in the stairs for?

quote:

Originally posted by mpierce32:
What are the batteries in the stairs for?

Your coach/house batteries.