On-and-off braking is EXACTLY what I was doing.  I would let them cool for
20-40 seconds, then pulse them two or three times, then let them cool, etc.
That is what is so maddening about it.  I DID NOT drag or ride the brakes
any harder than one would HAVE to in order to drive normally over these
grades.

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy
Santa Barbara, CA

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Stuart MacMillan [mailto:stuart@cobaltgroup.com]
> Sent: Monday, April 17, 2000 9:07 AM
> To: bpchristensen1@HOME.COM
> Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Aaaaargh! Brake failure (long)
>
>
> Brent,
>
> Brake fade is actually caused by vaporization of some of the
> components
> of the pad material due to extreme heat.  This vapor forms a high
> pressure vapor boundary layer between the pad and the rotor
> that, as you
> experienced, severely reduces braking efficiency.
>
> When going down long grades don't ride the brakes, but pulse
> on and off
> slowly to scrub off speed and give the pads a chance to cool
> a bit.  You
> might experiment with other pads, try a set from the dealer.
> Other than
> that, cross drilling the rotors helps with cooling and also minimizes
> that boundary layer effect.  Pretty expensive however, I've only seen
> them in a kit from MSDS.
>
> --
> Stuart MacMillan
> Manager, Case Program
> 800-909-8244 ext. 8208
> Fax: 206-269-6360
>
> Getting your share of the Net yet?
> http://cobaltgroup.com
> http://UsedEquipNet.com
>

[text/html]