Common Sense in Braking

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6841, 23 April 1932, Page 8

Common Sense in Braking

AVhilst touring car speeds are on the increase and cars travel quite last in safety, tho owner should not be unmindful of the best method of reducing speed at cross roads on approaching bends and on other occasions, for an enormous amount of wear and tear can be avoided if the necessary reductions in road speed arc effected by the aid of engino deceleration alone, leaving the brakes to serve as the final retarding effect and for use in sudden emergencies.

Considered in tho light of design and construction, it might bo held that the braking system should be constructed in such a manner that no undue stresses should fall upou any part of tho chassis or transmission, however violently the brakes may bo applied; but, as every practical experienced motorist knows, numerous examples of twisted axle shafts, strained splices, and badly-worn universal joints have been due to perpetually harsh treatment on the part of car drivers with regard to brake manipulation. Brake design has improved considerably in Teccnt years, but occasionally one encounters examples of touring cars in which the actual adjustment of the brakes .varies with the load carried in the car, so that if the brakes are regulated to work properly with one or two passengers “up” they may be found to drag when the car is filled to capacity.

■ A car possessing this defect is a sourco of anxiety, because if adjusted for full load operation tho brakes may not come fully into action when the car is light, and, on the other hand, additional stresses may bo imposed upon tho engino and transmission by dragging brakes when the car is fully loaded should the adjustment bo regulated for the maximum braking effect for light loads. This may entail frequent adjustment of tho brakes for varying loads, which, though inconvenient, is the only safo plan to follow with an imperfectly designed brake layout.