Great Falls tribune., 1922-02-19
Barney 0ldfld9d says:
MOTOR CAR BRAKES
,opyrtaht. 1922 by King Feature Service

Copyright. 1922. by King Feature Service
"A commonly quoted statement is
b the effect that three efourths of the
serious automobile accidents are
caused by faulty brakes. 1t is better
to state this in another way, by say
ing that most of the automobile acci-
dents could be prevented by good
brakes that respond to pedal applica-
ton. The average motorist does not
realize that he is driving fairly
heavy vehicle along the streets at
minimu mspeed that gives the mass
considerable inertia force, and that in
order to stop the vehicle quickly the
brakes must work absolutely without
fail. In railroad work, this is so i'm
portant that brakes are inspected
whenever train makes a stop and
new brake shoes installed whenever
necessary.
Because Of the real need for good
brakes the brake shoe holder design
is such that the shoes may be quickly
replaced. Unfortunately, in mtor cars,
it is not SO easy to renew the brake
lining, the material which comes in
direct contact with the brake drum
or moving member. If brake lining
could be installed quickly, say in 70
minutes, motorists would renew the
lining much Oftener than they do now.
But since we have existing brake de-
signs that are mot fully developed in
this respect there is no reason why
the mOtOrist who values his life and
his car, should not be sure every time
he takes the Wheel that the brakes
will stop the car whenever he wants
them to and within the distance cal
rulated.
"Chattering Brakes"
There is little the motorist ~ran do
to keep the brakes in order if the
lining is in good shape. He can, OF
course, oil the linkages, adjust the
rods. the pedal throw and all that,
all of which are matters requiring
little time The main thing to know
is that the lining is in good shape, for
without that it doesn't mater how
much you adjust the brakes they will
not hold Occasionally one should
squirt little kerosene over the
brake lining so as to kill the effect of
any oil on the surface.
Brakes may slip, chatter or grab.
Chattering brakes are common in GER
tain cheaper cars and there is no cure
except to use a good grade of lining
that grips smoothly. The chattering
is band vibration and happens to be
an inherent fault in the design. In
Fords the use of cork-insert lining
helps, or the owner can use some of
the special non -chattering Innings de-
veloped by the large manufacturers Of
brake lining 1t is quite important in
any car to get the best lining possible
and have it properly installed.
! When you find that the brakes must
= 41l
service station and tell them simply to
sorry shop and buy the lining yourself,
otherwise. how are you to know what
kind Of lining is going to be used At
ter the job is done see that the lin
ing you furnished has been used.
Some of the cheaper Innings wear out
in a few months. whereas. brake lin
ing ought to last for two years at
least under properly driving condi-
Use Low Gear In Descent
Your driving has lot to do with
the wear of the lining. You use your
brakes most on grades, that is, the
lining is worn most if you use the
brakes on long descents. You should
avoid using the brakes under such
conditions by shifting into second OF
first speed. If you will do this OF
every down grade where you ordin
arily would use the brakes. you vii
find that the adjustments will holo
much longer and there will be no neet
to replace the lining for long per
iod. In using the brakes at Other
times avoid harsh application.
Brake slowly. If you must apply
the pedal quickly then you must b.
sure that the brakes are properly
equalized, especially on slipper,
road. If they are not equalized there
is a tendency to skid. If you want t
see how well the brakes hold jack u
the rear wheels Shift into one of th'
speeds and turn the wheels Only on'
may turn, but then you can hold tina
one to watch the other. Or you cal
take your car out on a level piece o
road and test for the actual time o
distance required to stop after reach
ing given speed.
Brake adjustments are fairly eas,
to make and if driver knows moth
ing else about a car he should know
this: The average car has two sets o
brakes ON the rear wheels or one sc
on the rear wheels and another on tn