Brake upgrade options for re-plated Hymer B668

[Landy Andy]

Brakes not working that great on first press of the pedal then after taking the foot off the brake and then applying again I get much better grip

No that’s not normal or correct. Your brake should almost be at their best on the first press. Unless you are running racing high temp pads. If they require “pumping up” so more than the first press of the pedal indicates an issue. Wrongly adjust, seized calliper pistons, air in system, or play in wheel bearings.

 

[Guigsy]

Yes, engine braking does seem to do surprisingly little until it sounds like the pistons are going to jump through the heads. I let the revs built to 3-4k, but I've not gone to the redline as is suggested above... maybe I should try that?

Two things I've learnt:
1) Descend slower. Ignore the queue of cars behind. As you drop down a mountain road, the amount of energy you need to dissipate as heat is a fixed. So give it longer to radiate off by making the descent last longer. Also, if something does go wrong, you're more likely to be able to do something about it.
2) Although it feels more mechanically sympathetic and smoother, don't drag the brakes to maintain a continuous speed on the way down. It's better to scrub speed off in lumps. Let the speed build up a bit, then bring it down again fairly sharply. This gives higher peak surface temperatures, but the brakes can radiate this off. If you drag the brakes over a distance, the slower warming allows the heat to soak into the pads and pistons and cooks them.

 

[dazandandrea]

By the sounds of it youvwould probably be best off by checking how much friction material is on the pads / shoes. Then working your way in.
New pads/shoes, fluid . Check condition of discs/ drums , renew if worn or scored. Check flexi hoses and maybe replace with ss braided ones etc etc

 

[SpitzTM]

Has any used the Descent Assist?

Our van has this feature coupled with the 9 speed auto. The only hill we have travelled down where it might have been useful is the descent from the air balloon roundabout on the A417 at Birdlip. Unfortunately we could not get it to engage.

Subsequent research revealed it can only be used when the vehicle is travelling very slowly (<= 15mph or something like that), but should be very effective as it keeps the gearbox in a low gear and therefore takes advantage of engine braking.

We’re off to Wales (Brecon Beacons) later this month so may well get an opportunity to try it again!

 

[63720]

Our van has this feature coupled with the 9 speed auto. The only hill we have travelled down where it might have been useful is the descent from the air balloon roundabout on the A417 at Birdlip. Unfortunately we could not get it to engage.

Subsequent research revealed it can only be used when the vehicle is travelling very slowly (<= 15mph or something like that), but should be very effective as it keeps the gearbox in a low gear and therefore takes advantage of engine braking.

We’re off to Wales (Brecon Beacons) later this month so may well get an opportunity to try it again!

Tried it in the Alps last week, worked a treat and very reassuring.

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[ivorantony]

I can only recommend what worked for me and a couple of others I did the job on for the same reasons you state
Change the brake fluid to dot5 s mentioned ( it has a higher boiling point and fit EBC HH sintered pads all round
That will minimise brake fade and not cause damage
BUT
no matter what you change / fit the brakes are always gonna get hot and stinky
Take it slow and stop in a layby often

Just one slight correction JAWs you need to use DOT 5.1 glycol brake fluid and NOT DOT 5 Which is silicone
based, and I agree using EBC pads as a good alternative to the original set, I use them myself,

 

[dunnah01]

You need air assist braking so put your satellite dish up

 

[Jaws]

ou need to use DOT 5.1 glycol brake fluid and NOT DOT 5 Which is silicone

Sorry yes. I was being dozy !

 

[bigwood]

All this talk of brakes reminds me of a week spent in the Pyrenees with our Discovery. As good as it was off road some of the down hill bits caused a few twitchy moments.
It became a bit of joke that the group that they could tell it was time to stop for a rest when they could smell my brakes. I was the only one without ABS and other fancy things like hill decent control.

 

[Figaro]

Subsequent research revealed it can only be used when the vehicle is travelling very slowly (<= 15mph or something like that),

Is that not likely to cause some irritation with drives behind you ?
I can just picture the Audi's and BMW's

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[Lenny HB]

Our van is 4.5t normally runni g around 4.2 to 4.3t, 2017 Ducato 150 the Comfomatic box.
We do our fare share of mountains, going up normally have the UP button switched on but coming down I find it holds too lower gear and usually switch it off. The Ducato has superb engine braking & never had a problem with the brakes.

As said the hill descent will only activate below 25 kph.

 

[dunnah01]

Is that not likely to cause some irritation with drives behind you ?
I can just picture the Audi's and BMW's

What more reason do you need to use it

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

I regularly tow a 3.5ton trailer and always use Mintex I know I'm not going up and down mountains but when I need to stop I want to stop.

 

[cmcardle75]

I would like to follow your advice but am in France at moment in old 3 litre mercedes Hymer which has no rev counter. I've been using engine braking and normal braking when going down hills. Brakes not working that great on first press of the pedal then after taking the foot off the brake and then applying again I get much better grip. I end up on and off brake pedal all way down. Does this sound normal?

Vehicles without rev counters typically have the rev limits marked on the speedo by a series of dots. i.e. 3 white dots is the red line speed limit for 3rd gear.