Double Decker Bus Restoration | Maintaining The Unique Braking System on A Routemaster London Bus

How to maintain the brakes on a vintage London double decker bus.
Built in the 1960's our AEC Routemaster London buses need constant attention, so if you want to find out what it takes to keep a London Routemaster bus on the road then make sure you check-out all our maintenance and restoration videos here on KZbin...
Filmed in the UK at the Routemaster 4 Hire HQ in Wrexham, North Wales we are passionate about London buses and with 7 vintage London buses in the fleet we defiantly have our work cut out!
In this episode David and Tim show how they maintain the unique braking system on RM765 one of 5 Routemaster Buses in the fleet. The hydraulic braking system fitted to AEC Routemasters is unique and as such not many people have the tools or expertise to carry out this safety critical maintenance.
In this video we show you how we adjust the brakes and recharge the accumulators on our AEC Routemaster London double decker buses.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A TRAINING VIDEO!
This video is for entertainment purposes only, so if you own a Routemaster please do not attempt anything in this video without training from a professional.
Also don't forget to check-out all our AEC Routemaster London bus restoration videos in this playlist...
• London Bus Restoration...
About Us:
We offer our London buses for private hire.
We are proud to have the privilege of owning one of London’s most recognisable sights - the iconic London Routemaster Double Decker Bus!
Our beautifully restored red London double-decker buses are available for Weddings and Special Events across North Wales and the Northwest UK, they add some nostalgic novelty and a touch of class to any occasion.
For more information, please visit our website: www.routemaster4hire.co.uk
#londonbus #routemaster #routemaster4hire

[@poruatokin]

Great video, but at 14:49 I question your statement of nitrogen being at all dangerous. Every time you breathe, 78% of the air that enters your lungs is nitrogen. The only way that nitrogen could be at all dangerous is if you were inside a completely sealed vessel, or an underground tank where a LOT of nitrogen would be required to displace all the oxygen. My favorite part was when you were arriving at the commercial test depot with the interior lights on. Took me back to my childhood for a moment when the bus would arrive on a cold wintry morning with that lovely warm interior glow. I also seem to remember that the buses of yore always had a certain interior smell to them - not bad, just distinctive.

[@DasMoose9001]

The outtakes are prime examples of why I love the British so much..... Cheers

[@TheFlyingBusman]

One thing I like is how clean it is underneath. It’s not just the shiny on top that counts. Spotted the two spare belts tied up underside. Very sensible move. Thanks for another interesting vid. As always, look forward to the next instalment.

[@paulh2981]

I don't get how the underside of a bus can be so clean. I'd say it's more than just clean, it'snearly pristine.

[@sitdox]

Exactly

[@richardhaywood4123]

I think it has to be that clean each time it goes in for the dot test and on buses used as these are it is easier to keep it that way.

[@Fuckit96]

Hiya, fat yank here. Loved this video and I'm now subscribed. I lived in Chelmsford, Essex for 4 years and I had an excellent experience taking a tour through London on a Green Route Master and it was really fun. Thank you for keeping the old buses safe and still driving them.

[@tonytigersbusesandtrains648]

The brakes in full efficiency and the bus will stop very quickly. Tell me about it, I used to work as a conductor on Routemaster buses. One day one of the passengers dinged the bell four times and the driver, well basically stood it on its nose..! I ended up banging my head of fee front bulkhead, oh and paying in short as the change went everywhere. Enjoyed the video it brought back lots of memories. Happy days.!

[@paulh2981]

These videos are not only highly entertaining, they're of educational value. Each one is a brilliant contribution to the preservation of culture through documenting the progress of mechanics and engineering through history. I especially enjoyed the reason for choosing this system. When I watch videos on older engineering, I always wonder why things were done a particular way if it seems like another way might also work.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you Paul. Glad you appreciate our videos.

[@peterlangridge4639]

My team did a lot of work for LTE in Nottingham, including RM refurbishment and component rebuilds. We used to overhaul front boats, gearboxes and all the sub components. Part of the LT sign off was testing the braking system with gauges on the hydracylic system so you could monitor the cut out operation. Like you we used nitrogen to refill accumulators. Your initial comments about why LT demanded this form of brakes ommited one major reasoning behind it. As traffic concentration in the city increased and hence more brake applications, the conventional air brakes systems depleted air too quickly and this resulted in the flag dropping, necessitating the driver select neutral and rev up to rebuild before proceeding. In dense traffic areas like Regent Street/ Oxford Street this resulted in clouds of diesel fumes and great concern over air pollution. Colin Curtis remained adamant that modern air brakes were untenable for inner London for years, despite considerable technical advances until they were finally persuaded to trial Leyland Nationals with all air braking. The Titan was also developed with hydracylic systems for this reason and the crippling cost of it prevented Leyland Bus from being able to sell the Titan B15 to other UK operators. Hence the lesser expensive Olympian was created for the majority of NBC and municipal customers. Good videos there chaps. Invoked memories.

[@jamesfoulger2098]

I was surprised at no gauges put on the hydraulic system for cut out and operation.

[@rogerpearson9081]

I thought it might have been climate considerations but never considered that aspect. Obviously they didn't have very big compressors back then.

[@ryanclarke2161]

This was a lot more interesting than I thought it would be

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you Ryan

[@papachis9535]

It’s a pleasure to look into your world.

[@daveash9572]

Isn't normal air made up of 78% Nitrogen? Admittedly, if you were to replace all of the oxygen with nitrogen, it would cause hypoxia, but that would take more than a small bottle in such a large space. The exhaust fumes are much more dangerous IMHO.

[@beardysam2052]

Yes it’s not toxic. Probably better to say “this gas is dangerous if it is allowed to fill the room”

[@sjokomelk]

My local tire shop wanted me to pay for filling my car tires with 100% nitrogen. I told them I wanted to stay with the 78% nitrogen mix, as that is my preference. They asked me where I got it, and I told them it is available at all petrol stations for a nominal fee of €0. They didn't get the joke...🤣

[@therealjammit]

@@sjokomelk When people ask me if we have nitrogen I tell them we use a proprietary 75/25 nitrox mix.

[@nexpro6985]

Nitrogen makes up 80% of the atmosphere we breathe already. Maybe you meant to say 'Breathing air where much or all of the Oxygen has been displaced for a length of time can be fatal.' In a space the size of your workshop emptying the whole Nitrogen bottle even with the doors closed would have no appreciable effect. Your caution is still valid for confined spaces. Interesting video on these old workhorses. Thanks. Thumbs up.

[@CheapBastard1988]

Couldn't agree more. Nitrogen is as dangerous as CO2: Harmless by itself but it shouldn't be the only gas you breathe in.

[@ROCKINGMAN]

Thoroughly interesting to see what is underneath the RM, it's workings and maintenance. Enjoyed every part of this film. I was surprised when you remained underneath the bus when the engine was turned over and running. That AEC AV590 has that unmistakable sound and was so much a part of the sounds of London as a child.

[@jimmyduncan7650]

Beautiful bus and knowledgeable mechanics. Thanks lads

[@Bevoin1970]

Im a new recruit to your channel and I love it. Brilliant videos. I think the work you do is brilliant, and I for one, love to see these old buses kept alive. I do so hope you can keep hold of those small round bulbs that illuminate the inside of the bus up. @19:58 and you'll see what I mean. Such a warm and lovely welcoming Glow to the insides. I would hate to see LED's in there as a replacement. I also felt genuinely chuffed to bits when 'she' passed the brake test. Awesome! I applaud you all. keep up the good and great work that your doing.

[@desmondyoung5963]

Brings back memories when I was in New Zealand just south of Christchurch I came across two Routmasters on a tour. I spoke to the owner and he said he had five of them for tourist trips

[@wesleyhurd3574]

I recently watched a video about hydraulic brakes on the Toyota Prius. There are remarkable similarities. Since the hybrid drive shuts down under certain conditions, you don't have a constant vacuum source for typical hydraulic brakes. The system uses a hydraulic pump and a gas filled pressure accumulator so that the brake pedal can be pressed multiple times without needing a constant external energy source.

[@johnkeepin7527]

I was thinking the same thing about the Toyota Hybrid brake system. It’s a bit more complex than pure hydraulic though. When switching on the power from rest, you can usually here it run up the electric pressure pump a bit. Then it does it’s own sums to ‘blend’ regenerative braking and hydraulic, and engine braking if you select that, as you go along - including what pressure to use, such as ermergency braking. It’s ‘brake by wire’ as it were, not a conventional foot operated brake. Works well on my Yaris.

[@neilmchardy9061]

Wow I never realised how sophisticated these machines were.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

There were ahead of their time when designed back in the 1950's.

[@lloydpenfold486]

@@Routemaster4Hire Never before or since has so much time and money been spent on a bus' development, all angles were covered, passenger & crew comfort, ease of maintenance, engineering standards ensuring interchangeability of parts, etc. I think some will still be running at 100 years of age, if properly looked after.

[@jamescheney5310]

All this stuff makes me want to just apprentice in your workshops!

[@adamjones2025]

It amazes me how wonderful the old diesels start up with such ease, Modern vehicles will be lucky if it even reaches 20 years let alone 55-60 years. I miss olden days when things was built to last not like today's world.

[@alistairshanks5099]

This is a yes and no response to your comment and being 66 years old and having worked in the bus and coach industry for 46 years I think I am qualified to comment. Yes the older vehicles were built very heavy and with a lot of engineering redundancy as rebuilding components was the normal practice due to the much higher manufacturing costs and lower labour costs. Longevity of heavy transport components has actually improved if they are properly maintained due to the better materials used in there manufacture but what hasnt improved is reliability and most of this is down to complex componentry being used to improve emmissions and control systems that once had simple mechanical control. The advent of computerised controls has seen a massive increase in power delivery for a given engine size so smaller engines can do the job that larger more polluting units used to do. Its true that we are more wasteful these days in not designing components to be rebuilt but that reflects two things That components need to be much lighter to aid in fuel efficiency and emmission control and that labour costs are much higher as a percentage of total mantenance costs. Change is never easy to deal with but you have to keep an open mind.

[@adamjones2025]

@@alistairshanks5099 I do always keep an open mind, but find these day's such as white goods regardless of price are rubbish quality, a friend had replaced a alternator twice as both units failed within 2 years of each other. These days most items are NOT repairable and i think that's where we are going wrong as often things end up in landfill.

[@bigblocklawyer]

Old diesels run so long because they don't make a bunch of power. Horsepower kills engines. Modern diesels are marvels of engineering. Even relatively small TDs in modern pickup trucks make 500 hp and 1000 lb ft. That's likely triple what these old engines make, and the new ones, especially with synthetic oil technology will easily run as long as these old engines. What kills modern diesels and makes them such pigs, of course, is government-mandated emissions controls. They've managed to just about negate any return on investment of owning a modern diesel, since almost all of them will suffer debilitating reliability issues due exclusively to emissions failure.

[@grahambate3384]

Gr8 video. Beautiful old bus

[@alecmccance8409]

I remember the early ERFs and Maudsley wagons had this type of braking.

[@alextripp1230]

Enjoyed this video guy's, never thought of bus maintenance, those ramps made the hair on my neck stand up tbh... thats a lot of bus up in the air on a stand.... cheers, Alex.

[@davidbassett4577]

Another very informative video. Thank you Dave & Tim for showing us what you get up to underneath one of your immaculate Routemaster buses. Look forward to the next one!

[@andrewstoffel1170]

Just found this channel. Just the noise of that engine brings back so many memories from the sixties/seventies.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Yep, its a lovely sound - never get tired of hearing it.

[@coniow]

Ha! Respect to anyone who keeps in the "Out-Takes" to prove they are not perfect :-)!

[@collihill]

loved taking them for mot in paisley scotland

[@michaelstaley2241]

Yes technical stuff very interesting lovely bus excellent content.😎

[@johngraves2755]

Rather good video, don't worry about not being able to talk I have that problem every day🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🤣

[@DMSparky]

It’s midnight and this is what KZbin chooses to show me. They know me too well.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Hope we didn't keep you up too late?

[@Jonno180556ADI]

I used to have an uncle and aunt live between Croydon and Addington. She was so proud of No. 64 route being one of the first to get a Routemaster. Also don’t the slack adjusters need attention if they aren’t doing their job properly?

[@JossRickard]

That braking system is really interesting and advanced. I work for Lexus and most of our models now run a similar system, with a hydraulic booster pump and an accumulator charged with nitrogen to keep pressure. We get about 40 pumps before pressure is discharged. I wish the booster/accumulator was serviceable, because they're expensive to replace when they (very rarely) fail.

[@Downstairsish]

Wow that brings back memories as I used to go on the 190 to school in the mid seventies as I was living in Croydon then.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

You may have travelled on this actual bus, she was based at South Croydon Garage for a while in the 70's and 80's.

[@Downstairsish]

@@Routemaster4Hire you are probably right… I lived in Whitehall road next to Thornton Heath Bus Garage and I remember South Croydon Garage well.. The buses used to drive past my house until my dad got a petition together to make it one way.. The reason was because the single deckers had a money tray next to the driver and the money rattled as it went past our house and woke my dad up 5am in the morning.. this was around 1975/76.. I collect classic Cadillacs but would love to have a Routemaster..

[@mikecollings6889]

Another fantastic informative video, keep them coming 👍

[@doogle9]

Thank you so much for this! It was really helpful to confirm that what I've been doing with RML2650 for the last decade is correct. It's hard to get experts in Texas.

[@Big.Al.3]

Another very interesting video. Do like seeing the 190 route blinds on the buses and the South Croydon garage codes. As this was one of my favourite route to school and walking round the outside of the garage to see what was going on. Especially the workshop at the very back of the garage. (you never new what you mite find).. Keep up the good work gents. 👍

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Glad you enjoyed it, I also would walk round South Croydon Garage as a kid - and take the 190 to School everyday.

[@johnmichaeldorienjohn467]

Another great Video, thanks for uploading more about my favourite Bus,it's so informative! 👍

[@TK42138]

Saw this on my feed. Great channel and well made videos. Never realised the Routemaster had independent front suspension until now. Every day's a school day.

[@shannalog]

Great Video, well done.

[@carldalsasso8603]

This is the first time I've seen a direct correlation between some of the components I and direct operations I learned in my hydraulic schooling cross over to civilian products 👍maybe a bus mechanic would be a good gig I ever find myself that way.

[@MrFeckham]

This was a very interesting video working on old buses keeping them alive. Very fascinating

[@leejones5849]

Hi guys thank you once again for a excellent video. Very interesting to see how the braking system works on a route master. Keep the videos coming I’ll look forward to the next one. Thank you for the outtakes as well really enjoyed them. So keep up the good work guys by the way the microphone managed to pick up every background noise that we the viewers needed to listen out for.

[@tonylawlor3503]

Brilliant video, great job

[@fredthebass185]

Great video! Thanks.

[@jed-henrywitkowski6470]

Your dog must be a government official. Just looking busy without actually doing anything! Lol. I like seeing dogs in people's videos.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Yes I think she is, quietly inspecting our work and probably taking mental notes too! :-)

[@ABCDEF-yf4yu]

This bus is RM765 WLT765, I also saw RM1214 214CLT. Wrexham in North Wales is where green Crosville Bristol Lodekkas operated.

[@markobrien1439]

Great video...just love seeing how these lovely RT's operate ....keep the vids coming 👍

[@Hammondfreak]

Hello Mark. This is a Routemaster- RM- not an RT, which was the predecessor to the RM and a totally different bus with air brakes, preselector gearbox and no power steering !

[@Bobbottom70]

I used to drive one of these with brakes that faded away the longer you drove and the hotter the bus got. It turned out that a non return valve was missing from the system.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Funnily enough, we have just had one of those explode on us!

[@zigwoo999]

So interesting watching you lot looking after your amazing fleet 👍 i love your humour and the outtakes at the end!!! Keep up the such awesome work,id love to spend the day with you in your garage 👍👍

[@112chapters3]

Real old school route masters ACTUALLY had the conductor do the braking, he threw a fortress anchor of the back. My Sister from another mister’s rickrolling grandpa said that’s how they did it back in the day to save doing this braking system maintenance, also down to a few strikes the ship workers were having and the few who decided bus work was way more frequented with ladies who don’t charge u like the ones at the docks. Downfall was that to retrieve the anchor the driver had to enter reverse gear and back up slowly while the conductor recoiled the anchor line and chain, communicating the the distance (don’t wanna run over it) to the driver by tapping out Morse code on the body of the bus, people remained silent as they knew how to behave in public. Driver could feel it as the engine up close on his side. Then when the conductor gave the Duh - Duh - Duh Duh - Duh - Duh - Duh wow. The driver then knew to slam into 1st, and the passengers could carry on chatting about how much it means to be a good citizen….. Oddly enough when this system was in place I would bet money that the wild animals such as rats cats and dogs in London was an incredible amount less than it is now. Maybe they should bring it back? “I just got the bus to work, it makes me feel so council” said in complete jest…. This girl didn’t speak to me for 3 maybe 6 mths at work in a team of 7.

[@lookoutleo]

very cool to see your keeping these lovely old buses going, everything looks very well maintained and restored

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you, we do our best.

[@alexbertuchi2969]

I honestly love the attention to detail and safety you guys have. How it should be done. Love the channel keep it up guys.

[@garynightingale7923]

Great vid Dave/Tim very informative keep up the good work

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks Gary, hopefully see you & Peter soon.

[@philipbrit13]

Wonderful to see these still running. I grew up in north London with the route master and love them dearly. Thank You

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you.

[@compu85]

The braking system on these seems similar to a Citroen. Not super hard to work on, just different. And if you use the wrong fluids it causes a heap of trouble! I used to have an Audi 100 with hydraulically boosted brakes. It used conventional brake fluid; the accumulator and pump were only for servo assistance. It's nice you take your passenger's safety seriously.

[@richardclarke376]

Fascinating! I wonder how modern brake systems work. It's hard to believe e.g. Chicago Transit Authority has a pair of guys that knows about accumulators and pushing the brake the exact correct number of times.

[@mikeholland1031]

Most are air now

[@jacksugden8190]

Nice work Tim and Dave, another gem of a video, bus looking brand new, certainly better that the current stuff on London’s roads 👌.

[@BITTYBOY121]

Good work ! It's so amazing just how clean and rust free the underneath of that bus was !

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you very much!

[@BITTYBOY121]

@@Routemaster4Hire You are very welcome - Have a great Christmas :)

[@mydogpeaches1]

i love that you will not spare anything for safety that is how it must be an a very good video i wish we did more testing like this in the states that is also a very nice bus

[@TheFastestSrbin]

Great video!

[@patrickwatters7555]

I used to drive them routemaster RML, Gunnersbury trained. 217 Uxbridge to Shepherds Bush No 9 Mortlake to Oxford Circus

[@JimWattsHereNow]

Fascinating stuff, these buses are so interesting, and you guys do great work.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks Jim.

[@johnbaggus9966]

Excellent video , well done

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Many thanks!

[@alanandhisbus3416]

Excellent Video, thanks for that. Just came across your channel - I'm looking forward to the next!

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank Alan. We’ve enjoyed your videos too.

[@johng.lidstone2236]

Great video, well presented and filmed. Also, excellent presentation of RM765 - good to see the cab neatly painted. Well done all round guys.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@SpenCrowson]

Very interesting, thank you.

[@markdavis2475]

Very interesting and well made film thanks. They used to service Routemasters at a garage near me in Elstree/Borehamwood.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jimmygee7717]

I liked the video so much I hit the like button twice instead.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

We find hitting the like button 1, 3, or 5 times works best ;-)

[@millomweb]

17:00 I wondered where I'd left the spare belts !

[@alexbonham2361]

Keep the videos coming

[@My_Op]

LOL I really liked hearing you cuss at the end "Fucking dickhead!", every language is filled with beautiful curse words 🙂

[@Hybris51129]

Amazing that such a system was thought better than a traditional hydraulic brake system. I guess the need for a fail safe brake system is the main reason.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Yes that's exactly why.

[@gstjwright]

Drove these buses many times with LT and really enjoyed your video on the brakes, nice to know what the engineers did.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching.

[@kentonsimons4343]

Loving these videos guys, thank you, I know how much time and effort goes into putting films like this together. They're really insightful to watch and it's great to hear about the many innovations on these buses that made them so advanced in their day... and still! My seven year old (future engineer) is loving watching the videos with me and I block his ears for the bloopers, ha ha!! He wants me to buy an RM...! It's also interesting reading the comments from the time served LT people - the whole system that used to be operated was incredible in my mind, and Aldenham and Chiswick no doubt kept these wonderful vehicles young. They were never the same when that era ended. She's a beautiful bus and looking forward to more instalments and hearing those wonderful AEC sounds ;-)

[@opapagaio15]

Your son will soon learn the 'naughty' words when he becomes an engineer! I wish him all the best.

[@marth6271]

Well done, pardner, from Cedar Hill Texas

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you Mart.

[@0987brian]

My dad used to drive route 101 out of East Ham Bus garage in the 1950/60. I would go with him sometimes, He would take a break at Becton gas works he'd let me sit in the cab and tell me not to press the brake peddle I always would to watch the stop sign drop down. But I cant remember pressing it 32 times only a few presses would bring it down. when dad got back in the cab he'd tap on the window and give me the LOOK

[@teepi280]

Nitrogen poisonous? Hope not, 80% of the air we breathe is nitrogen. It is an asphyxiant because it's not oxygen/air, but breathing it in in the workshop won't harm you so long as there is air as well.

[@rogerpearson9081]

Nothing wrong with erring on the side of caution. You wouldn't be able to tell until you keeled over which is why there are a depressingly monotonous list of confined space deaths especially in India where someone passes out and the helper/rescuer succumbs too and then another erstwhile rescuer in a septic tank , well or other enclosed space.The only way to be sure is to use a certified gas tester which will alarm if 02 levels get too low or there are dangerous gases like hydrogen sulphide etc. Mandated when working in designated confined spaces.

[@teepi280]

@@rogerpearson9081 I agree with caution, but factually nitrogen isn't a poisonous gas like carbon monoxide etc.

[@madog1]

@teepi280 You beat me to it 👏🏼

[@GrafRucola]

Haha yeah I also keep my tea kettle well circulated to prevent it from cumulating dangerous amounts of dihydrogenmonoxide xD

[@madog1]

@@GrafRucola 😁😂🤣

[@richardwalker1880]

Simply thee Best busses ever built for London and the out skirts

[@johnjephcote7636]

I simply had to get out my abc 1961 spotter's book, and yes, I've underlined RM765! (The RMs only went up to 1178 in that 19th edn.)

[@mikecorleone6797]

I work on vintage buses over here in the states. Mainly gm 4104’s crowns and gilligs but there was a guy that brought one of these in for service last year and it was converted to air brakes. We had no idea how to work on it due to never seeing one in person before. Took the boss a ton of research and calling someone in london to help us figure out how to work on it. That brake test at the end is odd to us, we road test our buses to check the brakes after adjustment. We check at 5mph, 15mph, 25mph, 50mph and 65mph for pulling or uneven stopping

[@thomasshepard6030]

My father was a London bus mechanic in the 1950s and then when he moved back to Glasgow he worked with Glasgow transport as a bus mechanic he also worked with Alexander’s buses in Milngavie just outside Glasgow my older brother worked there as a diesel mechanic many years ago now

[@gavinstirling7088]

I never thought I'd be so interested in this. Subscribed and liked 😊

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thanks Gavin.

[@davidr6585]

I would really love to visit GB one day, but while the rest of my tour group was oogiling over Buckingham Palace, or Big Ben and places like that, I'd want to visit garages like these!

[@cheezmartian]

And Beaulieu

[@MervynPartin]

Excellent video. I am a transport enthusiast, more inclined to railways than buses, but I was very impressed by your standard of maintenance. I never realised that the RMs had a brake system like that, so well done keeping those lovely buses going. AEC was a great manufacturer of commercial vehicles of many types, and it is a pity they are no more.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you Mervyn, yes AEC did manufacture some great vehicles, such a shame there were taken over by British Leyland!

[@stevenjohnson6082]

i remember as a young man working on my car you had to check to see if your brake fluid was Lockheed or Girling

[@odenviking]

Thanks for a informative video about the rt brakes. I just came across your video by my video list provided by you tube. 👍👍👍👍🇸🇪

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Awesome, thank you!

[@odenviking]

@@Routemaster4Hire you are welcome 👍👍✨🇸🇪👍🇸🇪🇸🇪

[@who-gives-a-toss_Bear]

Great show, men at work. Thought you would have checked the brake action 17:19 first, before any other work. Got to see if the pistons move before any adjustment.

[@kennethpensyl7791]

Amazing

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@pjay3028]

Very interesting video thanks. I must admit, I wouldn't be keen standing under there when a quarter of the weight is being supported on just that single pin in the axle stand!

[@PurityVendetta]

Well, thank you to the algorithm for recommending a really interesting video. I would have liked a brief look at a few schematics of the braking system to fully understand the works of it.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Great suggestion, thank you!

[@alexeatonexploresamerica5511]

IT IS AMAZING STUFF WAS BUILT SO MUCH BETTER THEN

[@trevoraindow2440]

Great interesting video, so too are your others

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Thank you very much Trevor.

[@trevoraindow2440]

@@Routemaster4Hire Sure, you're welcome. Brilliant stuff what you guys do, real proper work,!

[@cobragaming7068]

Think when my dad worked at a bus garage for London transport back in the late 70’s they had their own specialist equipment for speedy maintenance and turn around time and to have less downtime when the buses were off the road and not in service.

[@Routemaster4Hire]

Yes LT were very good at getting the buses back on the road very quickly after a mechanical failure.

[@YCM30cnc]

That warning about nitrogen being fatal if you breathe it in must be for the lawyers, considering most air is almost 80% nitrogen 😂😂, not compressed of course, and if you’ve let out so much that the oxygen is displaced there are probably other problems as well 😂😂. Interesting and entertaining vid nonetheless.

[@chrishartley1210]

I remember being told a story from the late 40s or early 50s about a local bus company which had bought some new buses. After the first one had been serviced it ran away down a steep hill, turned over at the bottom and crushed a parked car with the owner standing just feet away. Fortunately there were no serious injuries. Apparently the mechanics had never worked on the type of brakes before so I suspect that, given the date, it was this type of Lockheed braking system and they got it very wrong.

[@jeraldleung6009]

Everyone can make the underside of their vehicles clean and look clean if you have ramps to lift up the vehicle with treatment accessories.

[@MyTubeSVp]

Don’t worry about nitrogen : 79% of the air we breathe is nitrogen. It’s not toxic at all, but slightly narcotic when you breathe it at elevated pressures. Ask any diver …

[@uncensored5104]

I don't know why I was suggested this video on YT, but apart from jumping on and off of these buses as a kid, I served my apprenticeship in Southall not that far away from the AEC factory! I also did a small amount of work at Acton Tech College on a Leyland engine from one of these as part of my City & Guilds. Im guessing they used accumulators on these instead of compressed air for passenger & pedestrian noise comfort?

[@greglammers9905]

Interesting brake system, basically uses hydraulic oil instead of air and recirculates it? Ford trucks used a similar system on their truck that used hydraulic oil for their park brake. Made by Lucas girling

[@carbidejones5076]

Interesting

[@davidcoleman6032]

There is certainly more to maintaining these iconic machines than meets the eye!Great video, very interesting, just an observation, but I thought it was good that the underside was painted silver, seems to make things easier to see,was that standard practice back in the day?