The Washington times., 1922-09-23
Keep the Brakes Adjusted.


Dragging brakes are caused by
a portion Of the brake lining riding
on the brake drum. II this is per-
mitted, the brakes will heat up and
be worn down unnecessarily. When
either the emergency or service
brakes have continual contact be-
tween lining and drum, It means
not only needless CONSUMPTION Of
power and fuel. but also excessive
wear on the entire driving Inechan-
ism, to say nothing Of the damage
done to the brakes and their
Innings.
The following experiment will
easily tell you II your brakes are
dragging After placing the gears
In neutral, jack up one resr wheel
at a time, and turn them over by
hand. II they give forth a rub
bing. or scraping sound. or II they
turn with difficulty. the brakes are
dragging. The remedy lies in ad-
justing the brake affected so that
the wheel turns easily and without
friction between hand and drum.
At the same time, see that the
brakes take hold firmly when in
operation. Brakes should cot be
too loose. Loose brakes do not act
quickly enough. The service brakes
are too lose IL II is necessary to
push service brake pedal clear
down TO the floor board in order
to stop the motion OF the car
II, after considerable use. ii Is
found difficult, to obtain satisfactory
adjustment of the brakes and II is
noted that the brake Innings are
badly worn, the car should be taken
to a competent service station end
new brake Innings should be installed.
Only an experienced mechanic should
install brake Innings. making sure
that the lining is properly stretched
tn avoid wrinkling. The rivets
should be countersunk, otherwise
they will score the brake drum and
prevent the brakes from holding
properly.
Should Be Tested After.
After the brakes are adjusted
properly. they should be tested for
even braking power at least once a
month. Brakes on rear wheels
should work evenly. Jack up both
rear wheels and apply brakes far
enough so that II Is just possible to
run one Of the wheels by hand. Ad.
just the brake on the othey wheel
so that the same amount Of energy
In required to turn that wheel ly
hand. This will prevent skidding
when brakes are applied.
A careful driver can obtain longer
and more satisfactory service from
a set of brake Innings than a careless
or ignorant driver. When coming to
stop on a straightaway. allow en-
gine to slow down and leave clutch
engaged until just before car comes
to a stop. This method Of stopping
Is especially advisable on slippery
streets or roads because 1t lessons
tendency of the car to skid. II also
helps to distribute braking power
evenly, and assists the action of the
brakes.
Do not shut off the ignition until
car has stopped. II may be neces-
sary to make a quick start. Find
out the idling speed maintained by
the car when the gasoline throttle
Is closed, then never, except in emer.
gency cases, try to use the brakes
when the clutch is engaged and the
car is travelling slower than the
idlipg speed. In going down an
ordinary hill, leave the clutch en-.
gagged and close the gasoline throttle
but do not shut off the ignition.
This helps to cool the engine and
makes II unnecessary to use the
brakes. In going down steep hills,
or when descending hills with a
heavy load, put the gears into inter.
mediate or low speed at the top of
the hill leave, the clutch engaged
and close the throttle.
In ordinary driving, do not use
the brakes oftener than necessary
regulate the. speed Of the car as
much as possible by the use Of the
throttle. Always use the foot
| throttle in preference to the hand
/ throttle while driving. This leave.
the hands free to operate the gear
lever and the steering wheel
When making an emergency stop
leave the clutch engaged, apply the
foot brake and pull the hand brake
but do not lock the wheels" KeeI
the wheels rolling. otherwise there
Is danger Of the car skidding.