Brake temps with infrared scope

[scott nutter1]

I am going to start documenting all my brake temps with the infrared gun now that everything is new there.
Previously I would judge temps by feeling the heat with my hand on the rims.

Where would be the exact correct place on the rims or drums to get the most correct temp values?
And roughly, what should those values be? It is a stock brake system with 80mm calipers up front.
Thanks, Scott
--
Scott Nutter
1978 455 Royale Center Kitchen, Quad bags.
Houston, Texas

 

[Jim Hupy]

Your coach, just sitting still in the Texas sun, could reach 100° over
ambient outside temperatures. So, sitting still on a 90° day, tires and
wheel Temps could easily be 190°, before any heat gain from braking and
rolling forces. I would say that 200 - 225° might be considered "normal" on
the sunny side of your coach in Texas. In Oregon, on a rainy, cloudy 60°
day, that might be a bit high, and would require looking at more
frequently. So, when I say "it depends", that is the basis for my comment.
Certainly, any Temps measured at the rotors or drums in excess of 260° in
use should be an indication of excessive heating. You will see this temp,
but not just rolling along in flat country and not stop and go. Descending
the Rockies, or Cascades, heavy braking, you will see over 300° for short
periods. Kinda makes your butt pucker, don't it?
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403

I am going to start documenting all my brake temps with the infrared gun
now that everything is new there.
Previously I would judge temps by feeling the heat with my hand on the rims.

Where would be the exact correct place on the rims or drums to get the most
correct temp values?
And roughly, what should those values be? It is a stock brake system with
80mm calipers up front.
Thanks, Scott
--
Scott Nutter
1978 455 Royale Center Kitchen, Quad bags.
Houston, Texas

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[johnny]

Lemme suggest a couple things. It's going to be more important to measure in the same place each time than what reading you get. Also, a
differential on the same axle is suspect. there shouldn't be much side to side difference. Also, if you just braked to a sop, the measurement will
reflect that. If you're looking for hot bearings, dragging brakes etc, coast to a stop and then measure. A log should point out any problems via
changes in the 'normal' readings. I measure the back drums through a hole in the road wheel, and the surface of the front disc through one/

--johnny
--
76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased

 

[Matt Colie]

Quote:

>
> I am going to start documenting all my brake temps with the infrared gun
> now that everything is new there.
> Previously I would judge temps by feeling the heat with my hand on the rims.
>
> Where would be the exact correct place on the rims or drums to get the most
> correct temp values?
> And roughly, what should those values be? It is a stock brake system with
> 80mm calipers up front.
> Thanks, Scott
> --
> Scott Nutter
> 1978 455 Royale Center Kitchen, Quad bags.
> Houston, Texas

Scott,

Without knowing what wheels you have, there are two different temperatures per wheel. Try to read the hub and the outer brake drum or rotor on each
wheel. The bearing temperatures should all normally max at about 150°F. The drums and rotors are very load dependent. If you have reaction arms,
all four of the rear should be the same. If you don't the intermediate will always be higher than the rear and the front is always high if you stop
was hard at all.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Still Loving OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit

 

[Bob Dunahugh]

Scott. Your in mostly in flat areas like I am in Iowa. I use my infrared to check my axle temps at every gas stop during my walk around check. Also check dolly/trailer. I point it at one of my Eagle rim lug nuts. As they have no covers. Or just anything that's in good contact with the hub. I don't check the rotors, or drums. Those temp very greatly. If the brake are hot. The hub temps will reflect the drums/rotors. Just averaged out. As to temp readings. Over the years. My hub temps run around 7 degrees above ambient temps. On very long straight drives. The Sun shine side will run around 2 degrees higher.

Bob Dunahugh 78 Royale

 

[Ken B]

The problem with checking brake temps is they will vary widely unless you coast to a stop just prior to checking them.

When I stop at a rest area after running a while on a an interstate highway, I usually coast in to the rest area and try not to use the brakes. Then
I walk around and check the the temps. If one is considerably warmer than the others then that brake is dragging or something is else wrong. If I
want to check the actual brakes after use then I use the brakes when coming in and check them for differences between each other.

The brakes and tires will always be warmer on the side that has been running in the sun.

I am usually more interested in tire temperatures than brake or hubs temps. So I also check them at the same time for differences. If one is
considerably warmer than the others, then I go look at the tire pressures.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana