What I actually started out to say was that in spite of all the best
prevention the evil fade is still possible - if it gets to the point where
you notice you have to push harder on the pedal to slow dow, that is the
time to STOP THE VAN and cool off the brakes. DON'T push it with this one,
folks. This is way badder than trying to make it that last mile home with
your oil light on at three in the morning after driving for six hours in the
rain.

Coby

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Coby Smolens
Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2001 4:16 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Reducing brake fade on '88 Westy?

There are two recognizable stages of failure during long, steep, downhills
in heavy vans:

The first, nerve-wracking enough all by itself, happens when the friction
surface of your normally nice, cool, dry brake pads and shoes heats to the
<<snip>>