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+--- Thread: Top Tips (/showthread.php?tid=1159)
Top Tips - Colin Morgan - 05-05-2018
Hi - There is a lot of wisdom out there... here is one I picked up from a local club member years ago:
Go round and touch the brake drums after a run. They should be at the same temperature - at least, side to side. They are usually luke warm all round (it is flat round here). One too hot could mean binding, one stone cold suggests the brake is doing no work.
Regards,
Colin
RE: Top Tips - Colin Wilks - 05-05-2018
I like that. One of those things that's blooming obvious when you think about it, but you wouldn't necessarily think to do it.
RE: Top Tips - Dave Wortley - 05-05-2018
I have a friend with an Austin 12/4. He uses a laser digital thermometer for checking his brake temps. Works a treat and you don’t even have to bend down. Quite a few on Amazon for £10 and upwards.
RE: Top Tips - Mike Costigan - 05-05-2018
You don't need to bend down to feel the brakes on a 12/4 anyway!
RE: Top Tips - JonE - 05-05-2018
finger on the drums IS a sort of digital thermometer too...
RE: Top Tips - Chris KC - 06-05-2018
(05-05-2018, 10:44 PM)JonE Wrote: finger on the drums IS a sort of digital thermometer too...
Cautiously I would add - even Austin Seven brakes can get hot enough to make you wish you hadn't touched them, though admittedly not too often.
RE: Top Tips - Colin Morgan - 06-05-2018
Given it is the wheel hub, it shouldn't be too hot - unless you have just come off the motorway or down a 3:1 hill - but, yes, apply digital thermometer cautiously! (Smoke would be another indicator is it hot - seen this when a brake is binding - in which case don't touch.)
Any more top tips out there to share?
Colin
RE: Top Tips - Dave Wortley - 06-05-2018
Another tip, or maybe because I am an obsessive. Go round and tighten the wheel nuts regularly,especially if you have had a wheel or brake drum off recently or painted the wheel. I have heard of unintentional 3 wheel A7’s on a few occasions and I have a brake drum with a large flat area on the outside diameter. Don’t ignore a sudden increase in engine oil pressure as it is probably a blocked oil jet.
A big safety issue is the steering arm of course. Remove from car every winter, clean up with rotary wire brush the areas at the internal corner of the bend and the spigot on the arm where it fits in the hub bore. Crack detect with a magnetic particle kit. Or better still purchase a beautifully designed brand new arm from a well known cherished supplier who has very kindly not increased his price for many years and then you can forget the testing procedure forever!
These are not new tips but worth repeating for new enthusiasts.
Cheers,
Dave
RE: Top Tips - Ian Williams - 06-05-2018
Dave, I think you need to add to that not to over tighten the wheel nuts, the stud mounting is weak and I have seen a number pull out through over tightening.
RE: Top Tips - Dave Wortley - 06-05-2018
True Ian they are quite weak. I have my own torque wrench ie. losing arm strength through getting old and weedy.
Cheers,
Dave.