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**Chuck73080** · 01-30-2021, 01:14 AM

Actually, IMHO a mixture of disc and drum brakes are a hindrance rather than an improvement. Drum and disc brakes need different techniques under compression braking. Disc brakes require an on/off technique to allow the rotors to cool, while drum brakes do best with a continuous light application without modulation. With drums keeping the brakes applied doesn't allow oxygen between the drum and lining to promote a brake fire.

The most important thing to remember is to make sure your brakes stay properly adjusted. Don't be afraid to use you engine compression to help brake and a good rule of thumb is that you want to go down a hill one gear lower than you went up and that may be too fast. Also at the first hint of brake smoke don't hesitate to stop, then put your trans in granny gear, set your parking brake (driveline) kill the engine and let the clutch out to hold the truck. It may take 30 to 60 minutes to cool your brakes, but it's a lot better than a runaway.

A word of caution, I've done this in diesel trucks many times before Jacobs Brakes were fully adopted, however gas engines have much lower compression and may not hold, depending on the grade. If you have to use your foot brake while they cool, it could cause your drums to warp.

01-30-2021, 01:14 AM	#6
Chuck73080 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Purcell, OK 30 miles south of OKC Posts: 24	Re: 1964 C30 Towing Capacity Actually, IMHO a mixture of disc and drum brakes are a hindrance rather than an improvement. Drum and disc brakes need different techniques under compression braking. Disc brakes require an on/off technique to allow the rotors to cool, while drum brakes do best with a continuous light application without modulation. With drums keeping the brakes applied doesn't allow oxygen between the drum and lining to promote a brake fire. The most important thing to remember is to make sure your brakes stay properly adjusted. Don't be afraid to use you engine compression to help brake and a good rule of thumb is that you want to go down a hill one gear lower than you went up and that may be too fast. Also at the first hint of brake smoke don't hesitate to stop, then put your trans in granny gear, set your parking brake (driveline) kill the engine and let the clutch out to hold the truck. It may take 30 to 60 minutes to cool your brakes, but it's a lot better than a runaway. A word of caution, I've done this in diesel trucks many times before Jacobs Brakes were fully adopted, however gas engines have much lower compression and may not hold, depending on the grade. If you have to use your foot brake while they cool, it could cause your drums to warp.