Date:         Wed, 10 Jul 2013 07:41:32 -0700
Reply-To:     Tom Carchrae <tom@CARCHRAE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tom Carchrae <tom@CARCHRAE.NET>
Subject:      Re: burning smell - brakes or tire?
In-Reply-To:  <51DCD85F.4020103@turbovans.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

This pad rating got me curious.  Go figure, I didn't think about it before
but makes sense.  I don't think I would simply use price => quality.
 Reading about pads: http://www.brakewarehouse.com/brkewrhsefaqs.asp -
there are many kinds for many applications.

I have no idea what the rating of the pads on the van are right now.  I
bought some replacements (Bendix D45A) on a previous parts order - I think
they were on sale because they'd been discontinued. I'm not entirely sure
what their rating is.  The box says "RG" but that seems strange - is R
really a rating?

The two letters indicate the cold and hot co-efficient of friction, with
higher being more friction.  More friction is better braking, but higher
friction typically means worse performance at higher temperatures:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brake_pad#Types

On other things, I'm going to buy a caliper today.  The FLAPS (Lordco) has
one at $108 (the no account price) with a core swap - which is reasonable.
 I'm not sure if I should do both sides though.  Also, thanks Dennis, I'll
measure the rotor.  Good point.

Is it worth flushing the brake system?  And if so, with what?

Tom






On Tue, Jul 9, 2013 at 8:43 PM, Scott Ohana <scottdaniel@turbovans.com>wrote:

> Perhaps someone should do extensive testing of braking distance to a
> full stop from say 60 mph ,
> on a Vanagon ..but with different pads tried ..
> different brands and grades and prices..
> and note pedal feel, ability to modulate stopping 'grip'  and stopping
> distanceand other attribues.
>
> under controlled circumstances..same van, same road, same temperature ..
> same brake temps even.
>
> some pads are optimized for low cost,
> some for long life, some for no brake dust, some for no sqeual ( or
> combo's ofall these )
> or stopping power.
> or resistance to fade ..another very important attribute to have in a
> brake pad.
>
> Generally ..the more you pay for a set of pads..the better they will be,
> and deliver the best overall blend of desirable attributes. I stopped
> buying the cheapest stuff, or even somewhat inexpensive stuff, a long
> time ago.
> Doesn't pay really, all factors considered.
>
> lol..a set of pads range between about $ 9 and about $ 90 ..
> I won't be using the cheap ones in any case, personally.
>
>
> On 7/9/2013 8:31 PM, Richard A Jones wrote:
>
>> Dennis wrote:
>>
>>>   Stopping ability is more
>>> important than long life.
>>>
>>
>> Perfectly said!
>>
>> But, it's like saying good tires are better than cheap
>> tires.  That's the most common reflection of this idea
>> on this list.  "What's wrong with this [under-rated]
>> cheaper tire" than a nice [more expensive] 102 rated
>> tire?
>>
>> Fighting Darwin in tiring.  Or tire-ing....  ;-)
>>
>> With tires, it is one failed stop--or one flat
>> on a narrow road in Baja with a 12" dropoff on the side--
>> is worth a LOT more than up-front costs--in hind-sight.
>> With brakes, it is one failed stop is worth a LOT more
>> than cheap overall costs--in hind-sight.
>>
>> Darwin favors those who lack the fore-sight to have hind-sight.
>> You can quote me.
>>
>> Richard
>>
>>