[FC] FC brake UPGRADES

[corvanatics@corvair.org]

Some more qeustions.  How do metalic brakes help stop brake fade, is the 
coefficient of friction higher on them? or does the meterial resist/disipate 
heat better (or is that what a higher coefficeient of friction is?)  Also, the 
proper way to drive a brier (or any car) in hills is to apply the brakes hard 
till you slow then let off of them, is that correct?  What about for highway 
and freeway braking or just regular driving for that matter?  The short 
wheelbase does have some effect on the drving requirements, yeah?  What about a 
power brake booster, would that have helped the brier that lost its brakes in 
the mountains?
What are some other ways I can help cool the brakes-I know that if I drive it 
properly this would not be necccesary.  
Thanks
Harry


Quoting Keith Hammett <khammett@stainlessfab.com>:

> Brake Fade is when the brake pads or shoes heat up to a point that the
> coefficient of friction is no longer effective between the pads/shoes and
> the rotor/drum.  Fluid type (air/DOT3/Silicone) does not matter for brake
> fade!  If you have ever driven in the mountains then you have seen the
> emergency ramps (most people think they are just for trucks, wrong), most
> vehicles that are pulled from these have no brake problems, except that the
> driver over used his brakes heating them up and losing friction!
> 
> Boiling brake fluid is when you have heated the fluid in the
> caliper/cylinder from way over using your brakes.  This will occur if you
> continue to use your brakes after fading has occurred.  After letting brakes
> cool one will usually have spongy brakes from the air that gets trapped in
> the lines.  I would recommend that if you have boiled the brake fluid that
> you change it.
> 
> This summer when we went up Pikes Peak the ranger at the bottom told me to
> make plenty of stops on the way down that minivans tend to over heat their
> brakes.  I drove straight down and at the brake check station the ranger
> that checked the brake temperature said that I was in great shape and to
> continue on.  I still sat there for about 15 minutes to allow some cooling
> before proceeding.  Knowing how to drive is the best way to avoid Brake Fade
> and boiling of brake fluid.  I did this with less than 70% of brake pads
> left on the van.  BTW the van is a 2000 windstar.
> 
> Keith Hammett
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: corvanatics-admin@corvair.org
> [mailto:corvanatics-admin@corvair.org]On Behalf Of srmarti
> Sent: Friday, October 10, 2003 7:19 AM
> To: corvanatics@corvair.org
> Subject: RE: [FC] FC brake UPGRADES
> 
> 
> > please put dual master cylinder on any fc , or any corvair ,for that
> > matter.make sure that everything is in good condition.  I watched
> > the greenbrier ahead
> > of me on a mountain in vt lose its braking due to heat years ago
> > , heard them
> > on cb saying they lost them, and we had thier kids riding with us.  the
> > brakes faded out from heat. i think that a dual cylinder would
> > have saved them.
> > they did get hurt.  not good memories at all.  also silicone
> > fluid would handle
> > the heat better.     regards tim colson
> >
> >
> 
> 
> I don't question the added safety backup of a dual master cylinder.  But how
> does a master cylinder prevent brake fade?  Isn't that an heat issue?
> 
> Steve
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