BRAKE EFFICIENCY.

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 39, 16 February 1938, Page 12

BRAKE EFFICIENCY.

Turning to purely mechanical considerations, the broking and steering systems aro of paramount importance. It is unnecessary to stress that the brakes must be efficient, smooth in action, and free from any tendency to pull to one side. It is a fact, however, that when tested by an accuratelycalibrated meter, brakes which the owner may consider to be efficient aro frequently found to be considerably below par. There is a lot to be said for the. fitting of a brake-efficiency indicator, such as the inexpensive Ferodo instrument, since the owner who seldom drives any but his own car has otherwise no basis of comparison by which to judge the efficiency of his brakes. It sometimes happens that while the brakes are regularly adjusted and the lining renewed when necessary, small points are overlooked. Wear on the teeth of the handbrake ratchet, for instance, may have serious consequences should the handbrake tend to fly off on its own accord when the car has been left standing on a hill. If the slightest difficulty is experienced in making the handbrake hold, the ratchet should be carefully inspected and the pawl and teeth filed up to shape if necessary.