Brake Fade? What Brake Fade?

Posted by 55PackardGuy On 2015/8/30 14:31:26

A note on my experience with brake fade, or lack thereof. (I noticed somebody started a thread on drums.)

Last summer I drove the '54 Clipper all over Duluth, including the Skyline Drive, if you know what that is, and even using the OD with long braking down steep grades, I did not have a hint of brake fade following long (1/4 mi or so) and drove on to stop again shortly afterward and made stops with no extra pedal pressure. I suppose power brakes helped, too.

Maybe I was just lucky, but it was a hot day as well.

Here's how my brakes have been set up and maintained:

Rebuilt Crash-O-Matic MC, good fresh DOT 3 fluid, near new brake shoes (drums were good after 85K).

Using the OD puts strain on the brakes due to freewheeling. But it also gives a smoother driving experience around town. It seems to shift smoother, the OD kicks in at about 30 mph so it probably saves some gas, and there is much less engine noise at the lower revs (OD cars have the 4.1:1 diff).

I realize that in hilly driving, it's advisable to turn the OD off and get the engine braking, but this was kind of an experiment. I also braked down a long grade to the St. Croix river at about 55. Stopped at the bottom no problem, with a firm pedal.

Thoughts?