New-York tribune., 1920-10-24
Brakes
Should Be Kept in
Perfect Condition
More Important Even Than
Motor From Standpoint
of Safety, and There Are
Two Kinds. Good and Bad

an hour? VIII they slide the wheels
if you are caught jim an emergency
where only quick action will save an
accident? If not you would better
have them put in order, for they may
De the only thing standing between
vou and eternity. And one does not
Ike to be thrown into the company
even of angels without some prepara-
tlon.
There arc just two kinds of brakes
good brakes and the other kind. Which
do you have? Possibly you are like a
lot OF drivers who are satisfied II one
set of brakes is working. Brakes, how
ever, are too important TO neglect.
They are more important even than the
motor. because while a motor is necee-
sary to start, if you cannot stop al
sorts of dangers are before you.
Every car is provided with two sets
Of brakes, one operated by the loot,
commonly known as the service brake,
the other operated by the hand and
often miscaued the emergency brake
Roth these sets should be in perfect
condition if one cares for his own
safety.
The usual type Of brake consists Of
d drum mounted on each rear wheel
which serves FOR both sets. The serv--
zee DGaNc OlQln4Ii4N NOi4SiNN'l " -
cperating on the outside OF the drum
ana connected to a foot pedal by q
series of rods Pressing the pedal
tichtens the brake band upon the drum
and friction stops the car.
Brakes Require Care
The hand brake consists OF lever
which through another set of rods con-
meets with a band inside the drum,
which expands by a toggle joint or
other device producing the necessary
friction. There is nothing complicated
about either set Of brakes. Any driver
OF ordinary intelligence can compre-
lend the action at a glance. But know
ing how they work Will not make them
work. 1t takes little attention, regu-
larly and often, to make sure that they
are in condition to serve you when
needed. The troubles are not many
and may be briefly classified as those
due to wear in the lnkage of the brake
lining, or from poor adjustment. or
ward Of the rear axle there is an
oqualizing bar designed to help the
brakes work with equal pressure on
each side and just in front of this
bar is turn buckle or other device
for taking up undue play AT each
end Of this equalizing bar other rods
&c to each brake and just in front OF
the drum there is another turn buckle
OF similar device for further adjust
ment.
In adjustment Of the brakes the rear
wheels should bl lacked up and the hand
of the wheels Will turn by hand. If
the other one does not show an equal
pressure when turned by hand the
adjusting device at the wheels should
be Turned Until the pressure is equal
upon each brake. After this the turn
buchle forward Of the equalizing bar
may be taken up if necessary. The
service brake is similarly adjusted, but
it viii be necessary to have some one
hold tie pedal down during the process.
Causes of Linkage Wear
Wear in the inkage is due TO de-
feet or to lack of fabrication. The
Construction is such that grease cups
cannot be used and it is merely a case
of sqn ing oil On from a can. Natu-
10. =. bis does not last long and it
ace anlates road dust, and unless the
oins are properly cleaned and oiled
rcG..ent y pins and clevlses will wear
and mag become 50 weak that they vii!
break under q Sudden strain in an
.ne. seney. They may be replaced,
when badly worn, for q few cents each
and roaeWal IS cheaper than an acci-
dent
} ne III dhf +illlNS &lSO WcaIo. paTLlCu-
larly where there are many hills, and
this needs renewal II allowed to wear
until the Iivots By which it is fastened
20 the brake band rub against the drum
the latter is likely to be scored, and ii
then becomes necessary TO take the
drum off, have it put III a lathe and
turned true, where there is enough
1netal to do it. Sometimes it is cheaper,
particularly if the drum is thin, to buy
new one. In that case be sure to buy
all new bolts and nuts. 1t is wisdom,
therefore, TO renew the brake lining
before such condition is caused. Put
ing on the brake lining is not diff
cult job, but it is q particular one. The
ming must be put on so that it is
smooth and so that the rivet heads do
not protrude. This means counter
sinking the rvet heads in the fabric,
the brake lining usually being a com
position of asbestos and wire. 1t is
possible to buy the band of proper size,
and to buy the proper sized rivets also,
or any make OF car, at supply house.
Take Oft the Drake band, and either cut
off or punch out all the rivets with q
cold chiscl and punch. Lay the new
lining carefully on the band and mark
the rivct holes accurately, and then
punch them out on block, being care
ful not to make them larger than the
rvets; little smaller is better. Then
countersink those holes for the rivet
heads so that they are we'll below the
surface Stretch the lining on the
band and place the end rivets in posi-
tion. They may be lightly tapped to
hold them in place. Then clamp the
lining firmly in position at several
points. The rivets may now be fastened
IN, one by one, taking pains to see that
The rivet is we'll set up-that is, that it
fills the hole in the band. To insure
that il is properly countcrsunk the
head should be placed upon rod just
a little smaller than the rivet head
held in the vice. Care must be taken
10 see that the lining Is not punched
up or wrinkled, but when all rivets are
set should be smooth and regular, sc
chat every portion will touch the drum
when the brake is applied.
Apply Brakes Smoothly
While brakes should be adjusted st
that they will slide the wheels. it is
not intended that they should be ap-