Exhaust brakes

ah64id wrote:
For folks with experience using a 7.3 exhaust brake, brakes for this engine must use very low backpressure to keep the lifter seated. This low pressure means low braking power, and isn't a good example of modern exhaust brakes.

http://www.jacobsvehiclesystems.com/faqs/view/3/

That was not my experience at all. I installed a US Gear Decelerator on my '95 F350 and was very happy with it's performance. The type of EB I used included a waste gate that prevented over-pressurizing the exhaust system. The braking performance was good enough that I rarely had to use the service brakes on the truck while descending a steep grade. I also liked it better than the Tow-Haul mode on my current truck. It was much more controllable, being either ON or OFF with the slightest movement of the throttle. The braking force I always felt was very good.

Some things I did in conjunction with installing the EB were to replace the turbo pedestal with one that had the exhaust BP actuator removed and welded over removing a source of oil leaks, and gutted the exhaust BPV housing of the butterfly which improved the exhaust flow.

I used it all the time, and never had a problem with it sticking closed.

:):)

RAS43 wrote:

Turtle n Peeps wrote:

All new pickups with diesel engines have exhaust brakes on them.
I will be odd man out on this and that's fine. My 93 and 06 do not have EB's and I don't miss them at all. (yes I have driven trucks that have them)
Been to Co many, many times and my brakes never even got warm on my 06. Came down Steamboat this year and I hit my brakes only a few times coming down from 11,000 feet.
Even my 93 engine brakes just fine.
I'm only at 16 gross and I know that's not much compared to some that tow their house on wheels. Maybe that's the difference between me and people that "have to have" and EB

I guess I am odd man out X2. Had an exhaust brake(Decelerator) on my '99 Ford and it worked okay. But I had to repair something on it often. Or it would stick closed at the bottom of a hill and I'd have to pull over and let it cool off. When I traded for my '06 I let the brake go with the truck and have done just fine with this truck. The turbo acts like an exhaust brake and keeps my speed under control, even pulling doubles and grossing 22000lbs thru our Colorado mountains. After 8 years the brake pads are original and still around 70%. Same with our 5th wheel-8 years old with original brakes.
I let the transmission do it's job and only touch the brakes when speed gets too high for the road. They never get hot. And I have traveled over most of our passes, even Red Mountain. JMO

Were you using the Exhaust Back Pressure Valve? I think it's original design was cold start only.

To the OP. Get an exhaust brake. My vehicle brakes are always cool to the touch. This means they are at 100% in case of emergency. The warmer the brakes the less ability they have to stop.

GoPackGo wrote:
I don't believe that changing pads is the issue. The issue is that you may have to use the brakes so much that they overheat to the point where they don't work AND you're only half way down that 6% grade. Then you get to try out one of those runaway ramps.

Tim

X2

Nothing more relaxing than listening to the rumble of our Pacbrake, while watching all the cars in front of us riding the brakes on the way down a long grade!!:B

Again sorry, 6.0, but there is two things one needs out here in west,
an EB an chains, both are important at differant times of the year
while traveling thought the passes.....

NRALIFR wrote:

ah64id wrote:

ChuckV1 wrote:
I have a 2005 F350 with a 6.9 International diesel which hss a EB.

Which engine?

I think he meant 6.doh. You know, the "9" and the "doh" keys are right next to each other. :B

:):)

yep 6.0, forgive the quick fingers
;)

Hammer21661, sorry you had a bad experience, a call to Pacbrake might have solved your problems.
I have a 5 speed manual and shifter mounted switch, I leave it on most of the time just need to turn off about a block from home to get the EGT back down to 300 degrees.

I have had a pac brake pxrb on my 03 dodge diesel auto I didn't like it.It was almost a song and dance to get it to lock the converter to slow down if I left the switch on it stayed locked while shifting up but would not stay locked going down. If I pulled the lever on the auto to 2nd or hit the od off it would unlock the converter then I would have to speed up to lock it back up. It also got hot once or twice and I had to turn the truck off and back on to get it to work. The air compressor comes with a little air chuck but the hose in the kit would always get hot and melt if I had to blow up anything more then an airbag in the hitch of a fifth airborne. The 07.5 6.7 came with one and all I can say is awesome. The pxrb would be great with a manual trans or a manual switch that locked the converter and kept it locked while turning on the brake but I am sure that would get old too. Good Luck with what ever you decide..

Edit : ATS has their own controller for a pacbrake check it out I think it has to be better then what pacbrake put out for my 03.

I don't believe that changing pads is the issue. The issue is that you may have to use the brakes so much that they overheat to the point where they don't work AND you're only half way down that 6% grade. Then you get to try out one of those runaway ramps.

Tim

ah64id wrote:

john&bet wrote:

seattlefirervr wrote:
This shouldn't be a debate, if your diesel truck does not have an OEM exhaust brake, then seriously consider installing one. You will save on your personal stress and brakes all the way around.

My truck is not new enough to have one so I will save my money. Changing pads on my brakes is no big deal every 90-100K. JMHO.

There are aftermarket transmission controllers to put one on your 04.5 auto.

John&Bet are from a flat state, may not really need one. I typicality travel over the Oregon coast range to the coast. Didn't have one for two years. We then installed a Pacbrake turbo mounted, air activated, love it almost NEVER use service brakes on a down hill. This is with 19,000# GCVW, just a sweet rumbling of the EB holding us back.
Brake has worked great for over a year, the plus it comes with a 12V 150 psi, on board compressor, makes airing tires easy.

john&bet wrote:

seattlefirervr wrote:
This shouldn't be a debate, if your diesel truck does not have an OEM exhaust brake, then seriously consider installing one. You will save on your personal stress and brakes all the way around.

My truck is not new enough to have one so I will save my money. Changing pads on my brakes is no big deal every 90-100K. JMHO.

There are aftermarket transmission controllers to put one on your 04.5 auto.