Engine Breaking Performance

[milehiscott]

Still learning

Can anyone explane WHY the e-brakes are hard on transmissions?

 

[LarryB]

Before my Cummins conversion I decended the 10+ miles of Grapevine hill northbound at 35mph in 2nd gear, slight application of the brakes obout 35% of the time, knowing if I got the brakes hot I had nothing left. Towing a VW Baja, I weighed 12,732lbs. 400ci gaspot/727auto non locking TC.



After conversion I decend the exact same grade weighing 17,000+ with my trailer at 60mpg without touching the brakes a single time and feeling completely safe and in control. If I need stronger brakeing I use a lower gear. I have my still cool service brakes as a backup too. I have my 4"BD remote mount turned up to produce 45lbs+ of back pressure.



And I do/did almost the same speed going up, in both cases. I guess that says something about retarding/braking hp.



E-brake? I wouldn't tow without one. I makes that much difference.

 

[LarryB]

The only way an ebrake is hard on a transmission is through torque converter slippage in the automatics. TCs are not designed to produce braking. Gas engines do not produce enough braking for this to be a problem as in diesels. You could adjust the backpressure down on your e-braked diesel to produce gas engine like braking and I would think the transmission could stand it.

 

[SmokinJoe]

Re: Still learning

Originally posted by milehiscott

Can anyone explane WHY the e-brakes are hard on transmissions?

DC Auto Trannies are made to fail, keep ya comming back for that excellent 5 star service.



Since we are all clueless shumcks when the transmission detects extra slippage it should just shut the engine off. When you try to start the truck you get error 53(access denied) and are forced to get some 5 start service.



Throw $3,000 of DD parts/labor at it and the auto will work fine. Factory transmission is JUNK and may leave you stranded someday in the worst of all places. You payed $40,000 for a diesel truck so it will breakdown when you least expect it.



Buy a manual and exhaust brake

Buy an auto, exhaust brake and goodies from DD



or



gamble each day you drve your factory auto, will it break today or in the future. Not IF it will break but WHEN it will break...

 

[milehiscott]

Larry and Joe,

Thanks! That make sense to me.

Scott

 

[FParisi]

I have the Pac brake with 60lb exhaust springs that helps with the downhill even without locking up the TC. More help would be better - more is always better! - but that can wait for the transmission upgrades. What I have helps a lot with these long, steep western grades- I wouldn't be without it!

Frank