Driving a vehicle in hilly territory requires some skill. While brake
upgrades and such buy some time or capacity any downhill application of the
brakes for an extended period will become a problem.

The main skill set involves keeping speed down and using the
engine-transmission to control downhill descent. For an automatic this means
manually going to a lower gear at the right time-speed to avoid or at least
reduce the use of the brakes. As you go uphill the downshifting will be
automatic to overcome the hill. Going down with your foot off the throttle
the tranny does not know to do that so you have to. In general whatever gear
was used to get up the hill should be used going down to help control speed.
You do have to be careful not to over rev the engine.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Arlene K Sondergaard
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2012 1:38 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: front brakes

I have an 87 automatic carat with brake problems.
I did Courtney rd in the Columbia R. Gorge this weekend and it was too much
for her.
Its a twisty turny steep road that leads all the way to the top.
I was pumping the brakes all the way down and going slow.
Her front brakes were smoking  when we got to the bottom and I had to use
the e-brake  when we parked.
An hour later they were cool and we went back to Washougal.
They smelled bad the whole way like they were welded together.
But this morning going to work they were cool and non smelly.

Im not sure what I have done to them.

I called a local shop who says putting a disk brake conversion on the front
is the way to go.
No more problems with going down steep rds.

Thanks,
Arlene in Washougal