E Brake and Valves???

[Paul Holbrook]

I just had a used Exhaust brake,(Jacobs) installed... . Love it!..... I leave it on most the time around town thinking I'll save on brake pads... Some guy I work with says that it's "hard on the valves" if I use it all the time. . He also said that I'll wear the clutch out quicker... ... Any truth to his assertions?????

 

[Diesel Gunner]

I have not heard anything about them being hard on valves, a long as the engine is rated for an E-brake. And, yes there will be some additional wear on the clutch. This will be in the opposite direction of normal wear due to the reverse loading of the clutch.



So what do you think this fella's reason for being negative is? Might he be envious? If so, let him marinate in his own ignorant juices. (every once in a while some meaness comes out of me!)

 

[Joe G.]

Paul,



What year truck do you have? If it's a 12 valve with 35 lb valve springs and you have an exhaust brake designed for 60 lb valve springs you might bend a valve during high RPM use.

 

[Paul Holbrook]

Thanks.....

I've got a 2001 with 43K totally trouble free miles on it.

 

[Joe G.]

You're in good shape then. Enjoy.

 

[dremelts]

I don't think his assertion that you will wear out the clutch is valid at all.



When the pressure plate is clamping the clutch disk against the flywheel there is no slippage - that is: the pressure plate, disk and flywheel are all turning at the same speed. The only time you have any appreciable wear is when the clutch disk is almost clamped between the pressure plate and flywheel, and the disk is spinning at a different speed than the pressure plate/flywheel assy. - such as when you start out from a stop or shift gears.



Yes, the direction of force on the disk is going to reverse but, come on, it's no different really than a gasser engine with manual transmission and you let up on the gas without depressing the clutch.

 

[CFAR]

Some clutch vendors have posted in the past that aggressive use of an exhaust brake is "hard" on the clutch. Basically don't drop the clutch on the down shift if the brake is already engaged. Watch those slick roads, I use mine year round, but during winter you have to be carefull, I also have a shifter mounted switch. I never realized what a PITA the ecm control of the brake was, until my shifter switch broke and I had to use the ecm control til I got it fixed.

I have 30k on my brake truck has almost 50k, my original brakes look brand new.





lol

 

[n7gxz]

Were the ware on the clutch occurs is in the center hub and springs. The lining is bothered unless you are down shifting dropping two gears and leaving the engine at ideal when the clutch is reengaged with the e-brake on.



Kevin

 

[CFAR]

yeah, I think someone ripped the hub out of an aftermarker hub(not me).

 

[Diesel Gunner]

Center hub and springson the friction disc was what I was refering to. Most folks don't think of them wearing, only the friction material on the disc.



For that matter, too, there is additional wear on the transmission and diferential due to reverse loading. But, when the exhaust brake is used properly this should not be of great concern.

 

[Coalsmoke]

To help counter this potential wear, if I am going to be doing a high rpm e-brake engagement, I shift into gear first and then pull switch. Let's everything get hooked up before stressing.