Middletown transcript., 1921-04-30
GOOD Brakes OF
BIC IMPORTANCE.
They Are One Of Most Excellent
Forms Of Guarding Against
All Kinds of Accidents.
METHOD OF CURB|NG ENGINE
Emergency or Hand Brake Primarily
Is to Hold Car When Standing and
SecondariIy to Use If Other
Brake Gives Way,

By H. CLIFFORD BROKAW, H.
Technical Director West Side Y. M. G. A.
Automobile Schools, New York City.
Better have good brakes on your
car than an engine, If you have to
choose between the two, for the
brakes are the best form OF accident
insurance you can have. This lndl-
Gates the relative importance. OF the
two car features. You might nave
the highest type Of engine with un-
limited power under the hood, but II
YOU haven't also some means of curb
ing your high stopper and lettering 1t
at will you are in for it. whoa"
won't stop it either. You might bet
ter be driving an untamed broncho OF
the plains. The engine will get you
there, it is true, but If there be no
means of stopping you may 60 too
eternally far.
The car has two sets Of brakes
emphasizing the importance-and oc-
casionally a car has more. The emer-
gency or hand brake consists OF a
brake band operating within drum
on each rear wheel, connected by rods
and levers to the hand lever, which
has a ratchet and pawl so that it may
be locked in position. This brake
primarily is to hold the car when
standing and secondarily to use in
running If the other brake gives way
or for alternating on long hills.
Operation Of Foot Brake.
The foot brake, called running or
service brake, is operated by a pedal,
with spring to release 1t when pres
sure on the pedal Is removed, and is
connected by other rods and levers to
brake bands operating on the outside
of the rear wheel drums, or occasion
ally upon a separate drum on the pro
heller shaft. The latter gives greater
breaking power, because of the rear
axle gearing leverage back Of the
brake, and the second drum helps pre-
vent overheating on long hills. But
this type brake does put severe
| strain on the rear axle gears
Both brakes should be kept in such
condition that either will stop the cal
quickly. Do not let one set remain
out of order Just because you know
the other is all right. The other
might 90 bad Just when needed.
Brake bands are lined with non
burning friction material, usually ar
asbestos fabric, fastened to the stee
bands by copper rivets. the heads o.
which are counter-sunk deep into the
lining, to keep the heads from con
tact with the drum. If the lining Il
allowed to wear thin the copper rive
heads score the drum into shallow
grooves lessening the braking power
Such must be turned true on lathe
II they are to be worth much To-
braking purposes.
Renew Brake Lining.
Equally important is the renewal o
the brake lining before it is worn thil
enough to expose the rivets to friction
Better have this done at the servic
station. 1t is a particular and tediou
lob. It is possible, however, to get tn
right size Innings and proper rivets
almost any supply house. Remove tn
brake bands, punch out the old rivets
noticing how they were put in, and g
to it. Remember that the rivet head
must be countersunk deep into tn
lining and every rivet set up tight.
requires patience but can be done b
the novice.
The brake lining is one place wher
fabrication is not desirable, but ever
other place on the brake and linkag
where there is motion should be lubr
Gated regularly according to the maj
ufacturer's fabrication chart, and b
cleaned likewise. There is conside
able wear to the clevises and pins
they may be renewed for a few cent
and should not be allowed to wear
the danger point; besides, worn linl
age rattles.