Thread: Lose your brakes and hit a tree?

You didn't just leave it in d right?

Use lockheed pads, vented rotors may help a little, but reduction gears in the transfer will certainly fix your worrys, personally just get used to it, it's not that bad

If you think the D1's brakes get hot check the D2's after using the HDC for a while.

I don't find the Auto a problem on descents. I lock it in first low and the engine holds it nicely, even with 33's. You do have to feather the brakes from time to time to control the speed a little but if you keep you speed under control it's usually ok. My brakes do fade if I use the to much and thats will be upgraded one day. I have had them fade more using them on windy roads then in the bush.

As said put it in low range 1st and you have engine braking again

Originally Posted by Landover

I don't find the Auto a problem on descents. I lock it in first low and the engine holds it nicely, even with 33's. You do have to feather the brakes from time to time to control the speed a little but if you keep you speed under control it's usually ok. My brakes do fade if I use the to much and thats will be upgraded one day. I have had them fade more using them on windy roads then in the bush.

Same as Dave, first low and occasional feathering will slow you down in most situations, if it doesnt then you wont be getting back up that hill.

yeah locked 1st,

20min or more down a long steep hill takes its toll though. esp fethering the brakes. anyhow will do some research into reduction gears and braking.

anyone gone into places like wonangatta or any other high country trips with long steep hills. very interested to hear comments on engine braking.

maybe some who have put reduction gears in or have upgraded the brakes and rotors.

cheers for then reply's

To reduce the load on the wheel brakes , I often (slowly) use the handbrake as a supplement. The handbrake is completely separate to the foot brake in a D1 or my RRC.

In extreme circumstances and very slowly you can put the transmission in reverse to give additional braking and the torque converter will give extra braking. But this is only for a very short distance say down a bank.

Like everything of this nature you have to use a good dose of common sense and not overheat the handbrake or the transmission.
BTW if it is OK to go that fast the engine braking increases greatly over 1500RPM as the injectors cut off then if you have your foot off the accelerator.

Regards Philip A

I gave the old air-conditioning trick a try in my D1 a few weeks back. To be honest I've always put that idea in the bull**** category.

I honestly cannot believe the difference it makes.

I was gaining speed, around 1800 rpm locked in first low and when I switched it on and it came back down to ~950 and I never needed to touch the brake again.