Smoked the brakes yesterday-update on test
Hi Folks. We have a 38' diesel pusher with cummins 350 and Allison trany. Built in 2008 and has 25,000 miles. Yesterday we had a 11 mile, 3500 foot winding, descent averaging about 8%. We used the e...
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Emergency brake being stuck was likely the shoes rusted to the drum-- not involved here.
Yes, the faster you go, the more braking HP is required to keep your speed in check. The correct speed of descent is one that keeps your speed in equilibrium-- you are neither speeding up nor slowing down WITHOUT USING THE SERVICE BRAKES.
If a PacBrake, have you lubed it? More important if not used frequently.
You need to verify that the exhaust brake is working:
Get up to higher RPM in, say 3rd gear (use Allison shift pad to select 3rd). Take your foot off the throttle-- feel the braking. Toggle the exhaust brake switch ON and then OFF, back ON... You should feel a difference, particularly at higher engine RPM's.
And, if they got that hot, you need to have your brakes and axle seals checked.
Yes, the faster you go, the more braking HP is required to keep your speed in check. The correct speed of descent is one that keeps your speed in equilibrium-- you are neither speeding up nor slowing down WITHOUT USING THE SERVICE BRAKES.
If a PacBrake, have you lubed it? More important if not used frequently.
You need to verify that the exhaust brake is working:
Get up to higher RPM in, say 3rd gear (use Allison shift pad to select 3rd). Take your foot off the throttle-- feel the braking. Toggle the exhaust brake switch ON and then OFF, back ON... You should feel a difference, particularly at higher engine RPM's.
And, if they got that hot, you need to have your brakes and axle seals checked.
