Brakes going soft - How long to wait / What to do?

[d c *mac* macdonald]

I'm not absolutely certain, but I have always thought it better to use intermittent, brief heavy braking and non-braking (to let brake shoes/pads cool down) which will then resist fade. Paying attention to traffic and slowing down prior to needing panic braking will also extend pad/shoe life. I think my 1999 GMC Sierra 2500 pickkup is still on its original pads and rotors after 175,000 plus miles.

D C "Mac" Macdonald
Amateur Radio - K2GKK
k2gkk @ hotmail dot com
USAF and FAA, Retired
Oklahoma City, OK
"The Money Pit"
ex-Palm Beach, 76
k2gkk + hotmail dot com


From: Gmclist [gmclist-bounces] on behalf of roy keen [roynpaula]
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2017 12:00
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Brakes going soft - How long to wait / What to do?

Do as Ken suggests sure sounds like moisture in the brake fluid to me. Had it happen to me in Kings canyon no joy when you loose your brakes on a down
grade. Use your trans to slow you down on steep grades or the brakes will get very hot.
--
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook

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[Jim Hupy]

Peer, just a couple of tips on brake use on heavy vehicles with drum brakes
on steep downgrades.
1. Turn off the cruise control.
2. Make efficient use of the brakes by reading the posted downgrade signs.
If it says 6% grades for the next 3 miles, anticipate that you are going to
need some heavy braking. Reduce speed by applying moderate to heavy pedal
pressure before sharp curves and slow the vehicle to the posted curve
speed. If the grade is so steep that the coach constantly gains speed,
downshift into 2nd.
3. This is important ! Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal. This will
constantly heat the brakes and lead to fade. Apply the brakes enough to
slow the coach, then take your foot off the pedal. This will help cool the
brakes between uses.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403

Do as Ken suggests sure sounds like moisture in the brake fluid to me. Had
it happen to me in Kings canyon no joy when you loose your brakes on a down
grade. Use your trans to slow you down on steep grades or the brakes will
get very hot.
--
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook

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[justin brady1]

Peer I've found with my coach that even on the steepest grades if I slow to 45-50mph and shift down into super that the trans and engine will maintain
speed with almost zero brake input.
As Jim said, quick firm braking when needed followed by letting off fully and I've had no trouble.
--
Justin Brady
http://www.thegmcrv.com/
1976 Palm Beach 455

 

[roy keen]

The road coming down from big bear as I remember it was a 2 lane steep mountain grade definitely a 2nd gear road in my opinion with ample use of
brakes.
--
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook

 

[jim kanomata1]

This has been discussed back in 1980 and the consensus was to not ride the
brake but pull the speed down and let it pick up again.
I know it is hard to do when there are heavy traffic.
Also first chance you get drive it in reverse and firmly apply the brake
forward and back to reset your rear drum brakes. Yes, the self adjusters
should work.

> The road coming down from big bear as I remember it was a 2 lane steep
> mountain grade definitely a 2nd gear road in my opinion with ample use of
> brakes.
> --
> Roy Keen
> Minden,NV
> 76 X Glenbrook
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502

 

[john r. lebetski]

Use the transmission S on 4-5-6% grades at about 45 MPH. The brakes are used only in short applys to prevent over speeding the engine. On steeper
grades you may need 1st. If allready above 35 do a brief firm apply to get the speed down, then go from S to 1. Again use brakes only to prevent
engine overspeeding. You can't hold a GMC back on a long grade using brakes alone. Also those high temps are bad for wheel bearing grease and can
glaze linings and warp rotating parts. Using higher test fluid just moves the problem to a higher temp, making it worse for lubricants and brake
parts.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II

 

[Keith V]

I was in Yellowstone driving the switchbacks in 2nd, maybe 1st, in my old Class C. All engine braking. Rarely touched the brakes.

There was a long line of cars behind me.

I was feeling pretty guilty.

We came to a 2 lane passing zone and I kept going slow so they could pass. NO ONE passed me !

I felt better about going slow after that.

________________________________

Jim K said:
This has been discussed back in 1980 and the consensus was to not ride the
brake but pull the speed down and let it pick up again.
I know it is hard to do when there are heavy traffic.

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