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| | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 187 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 187 | Sorry I just posted this in little bolts accidently. I just got a 1951 GMC 640 5-ton truck running. What does the Bendix front brake knob control? Is it brake bias? under what circumstances would you use it? what are some problems, besides leak down should I be looking for? It all works real well, I'm just not sure this is factory. Thanks guys.,,,Rick :confused:
'36 Tall cab Chevy 1.5 ton, '36 Low cab Chevy 1.5 ton, '53 GMC 2 ton, '51 GMC 640 5 ton, '47 Dodge 2 ton, '42 GMC CCKW 353 6X6.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 707 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 707 | If it is anything like the tractors I drove years ago, it is a front brake limiting device, designed to sharply limit the power of the steering axle's brakes when travelling empty or under conditions of poor traction such as snow and ice, to keep the front wheels from breaking traction so they can be used to control a braking skid.
Some tractors were sold into the 1970's without brakes on the steering axle, which made for, shall we say, "interesting" handling characteristics when travelling bobtail (without a trailer) on ice.
1951 3800 Be the change you want to see. -hotshoe
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 | clutchhead, hotshoe, hit it right on the head. That indeed a brake limiting switch. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 187 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 187 | Thanks gentlemen, I'll leave the knob on increase (to the left)for full front brake control unless it snows again :mad: ....Rick
'36 Tall cab Chevy 1.5 ton, '36 Low cab Chevy 1.5 ton, '53 GMC 2 ton, '51 GMC 640 5 ton, '47 Dodge 2 ton, '42 GMC CCKW 353 6X6.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,276 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,276 | Clutchheadstew
I would suggest you leave it to the left all the time. Brake limiters are no longer used for a reason and it's a good one.
Early on they where used on trucks even without front brakes I had one on my 57 KW and it never had front brakes. When font brakes became a requirement one three axle trucks there were a lot of old-timers who swear it was going to cause accidents form steer axles locking up. Well I am glad we have brakes on all axles today. | | |
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