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Wales
by Joske Vermeule, September 1
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Forums39
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Jun 14th, 2026
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,435 Likes: 122
Talk Morgan Guru
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Talk Morgan Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,435 Likes: 122 |
Testing on a bench or with an MoT doesnt adress the issue the OP raised. The problem with drum brakes is dissipation of the heat that is generated when you brake. You can help this a bit by replacing cast iron drums with Alfin type aluminium drums as was common in the 60s but the real cure is disc brakes as jaguar demonstrated at le Mans. The disc and piston is exposed to the air and is way better cooled than a drum.
If the brakes get really hot then water in the brake fluid boils and maybe even the fluid itself boils. This means gas in the brake lines which is easily compressed unlike a liquid and so the pressure on the brake shoes is reduced and the braking effect is reduced too. All agreed Howard what you say, but as CBY writes, the test bench makes sense to see which braking power is left regarding your last sentence if the drum was too hot at some point.
'14 4/4 graphite grey
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Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 28
Just Getting Started
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OP
Just Getting Started
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 28 |
Back in t' olden days we were taught to use the correct gear for steep descents Agree, that´s the most economical way - but have a look at the profiles of Stilfser Joch / Passo dello Stelvio in Italy or Stoderzinken in Austria (and many similar roads in the Alps) - when you enjoy those rides, you can´t avoid stressing the brakes beyond normal...
2010 Roadster Sport 3.0 (S3) - black
1997 Mazda MX5 1.6 (NA) - red
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 27,816 Likes: 749
Member of the Inner Circle
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Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 27,816 Likes: 749 |
Maybe I don't nt drive as hard as you but touring 2 up I have had no problems with alpine passes.
Could the front pads have been contaminated by grease?
JohnV6
2022 CX Plus Four
2025 Renault Scenic Alpine etech "Yvette"
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Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 28
Just Getting Started
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OP
Just Getting Started
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 28 |
Not that I have noticed, or that there are any leaks, whatsoever. Guess especially down the brakes were so hot that anything would have gone up in smoke :-)
The fading though also happens in less hard situations, e.g. highway when braking down. I will try the various recommendations above - get a check on the rear brakes, change the pads, and probably invest in the Alfin... not sure though if those fit with the wire wheels?
2010 Roadster Sport 3.0 (S3) - black
1997 Mazda MX5 1.6 (NA) - red
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 27,816 Likes: 749
Member of the Inner Circle
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Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 27,816 Likes: 749 |
Alfins will work with wires but if the brakes overheat even in more normal driving I would get them looked at. That isn't normal/
JohnV6
2022 CX Plus Four
2025 Renault Scenic Alpine etech "Yvette"
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